Fan saves the day after Afridi is unable to pay for meal at Auckland airport

E-Paper | April 24, 2026

Pakistan T20 skipper Shahid Afridi was saved from embarrassment by a fan at a McDonald's restaurant situated inside Auckland airport on Monday.

Fan Waqas Naveed paid Afridi's bill when the star, after ordering his food, realised he was not carrying local currency to pay for his meal.

"I did it just to welcome these guys [the Pakistan team]," Waqas told ONE News.

"Every Pakistani is a big cricket fan and it's great to see our local stars here in Auckland," he added.

Afridi was recently embroiled in a tiff with the media trial after the mercurial all-rounder gave a dismissive reply to a television reporter before leaving for the New Zealand tour. The Pakistan T20 skipper received a much needed warm welcome as soon as he landed in New Zealand.

Shahid Afridi on Wednesday found himself in the middle of a storm by admonishing a local TV reporter during a press conference held in Lahore after his captaincy credentials were questioned.

Afridi’s response triggered a small protest by the media outside stadium, with reporters demanding an apology.

Read: Media row: Afridi defends ‘dismissive’ reply to reporter

The 35-year-old has a record of being frank in his views, something which has led to him being sanctioned in the past.

Pakistan are scheduled to play three T20s and as many ODIs against the Kiwis, with the tour set to kick off on January 15.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

Afridi admonishes reporter, triggers protest outside Gaddafi stadium

Asia Cup Classics: Afridi's madness steals the show against Bangladesh

`I want to be remembered as the craziest cricketer`

bunty

Jan 11, 2016 05:11pm

so he didnot even have c card ?

Recommend 0

Bilal Kashmiri

Jan 11, 2016 05:13pm

Even if i was there I would have loved to pay for Lala, I would have considerd it my most lucky moment to pay for our Great Hero.

Recommend 0

Ali Dublin

Jan 11, 2016 05:18pm

@bunty May be that's what Afridi thought but who knows credit card machine didn't work or broken oe may be didn't accept Afridi's card. But if I was a true fan, I wouldn't tell anyone about paying for their meal.

Recommend 0

Saad

Jan 11, 2016 05:18pm

Make sure your credit/debit cards will work abroad next time you travel internationally lala.

Recommend 0

Pakistan Zindabad

Jan 11, 2016 05:22pm

Why is he getting in and out of different embarrassing moment. Lala! Play well and take retirement.

Recommend 0

Muhammad Usman Khan

Jan 11, 2016 05:33pm

@bunty The same I was thinking. Even in Saudi Arabia McDonalds is accepting credit card. In Dubai Airports every restaurant is accepting credit cards.

Recommend 0

Howzat

Jan 11, 2016 05:53pm

@Saad I have never seen a cricketer overseas pay for dinner. Everyday they are invited by migrant Pakistanis - and the players look after the fans in return especially the children with selfies/kits/tickets etc. This guy must be desperate to get in the news - or Lala was too busy for a selfie!

Recommend 0

Vorshal

Jan 11, 2016 06:04pm

Debit or Credit Cards, where accepted, have machines in good order. Otherwise, they will display clearly - Cash Only for the reason... This is not the first tour of Afridi out of the country, and he ought to have known it or he should have asked any other player or manager for NZ or US or UK currency. Frankly, this is a very poor advert for Afridi, let alone the team.

Recommend 0

Suriya

Jan 11, 2016 06:27pm

Short of money

Recommend 0

Canada

Jan 11, 2016 06:35pm

I don't know a single pro player in NA or EU that eats McDonalds. They do ads for money but junk food isn't exactly going to keep you fit. Thats because they value their health and body and treat it with respect to prolong their career and thus many money. Talk about discipline from a guy, captain, preaching about fitness to others. This just sums up the current status of pro-sports in PK.

Recommend 0

edwardian

Jan 11, 2016 06:40pm

I would have paid myself for anyone but then telling others about paying for someone is beyond my dignity. Good but not that good Waqas Naveed.

Recommend 0

anony

Jan 11, 2016 06:52pm

Awesome news. Thank you Waqas Naveed for taking care of our heroes like this.

Recommend 0

Suleman

Jan 11, 2016 06:57pm

I would consider it an honour to pay for Afridi's meal

Recommend 0

Hasan

Jan 11, 2016 06:59pm

LaLa is Lala and we love him!!!

Recommend 0

usman

Jan 11, 2016 07:00pm

I saw the video and to me afridi looked arrogant. One is rather more humble towards a fan on a nice gesture

Recommend 0

Sam

Jan 11, 2016 07:11pm

areint the cricketers given daily allowance for meal by the board when they go abroad. BCCI gives every player $50/day as food allowance when they travel. How come Pak board is expecting players to pay their own money??

Recommend 0

Jawad

Jan 11, 2016 07:13pm

It's an honor for the fan.

Recommend 0

Umar Afridi

Jan 11, 2016 07:17pm

@bunty I live in Dubai and Mcdonald's till last year didn't accept credit cards because they didn't have credit card machine, so probably the card machine wasn't available. You can give him benefit of doubt.

Recommend 0

khalid soomro

Jan 11, 2016 07:42pm

there is no doubt that Afridi is great player and has set record first fastest century in ODI IN 37 balls. but he is little bit aggressive but over all he is good human being . as media should not try to a tiny issue become wild fire news . hoping that Pakistan will win the contest in New Zealand

Recommend 0

Tot Batot

Jan 11, 2016 07:54pm

McDonald's!? Seriously? No wonder our team is lethargic on the field. Don't we have dietitian watching / advising what our players should eat?

Recommend 0

Shanu

Jan 11, 2016 09:42pm

nice!!!!!

Recommend 0

Shwetal

Jan 11, 2016 09:54pm

McDonald's in Aukland does not server Halal food ;)

Recommend 0

Valmire

Jan 11, 2016 10:16pm

doesn't Mc Donalds first take your money and then process the order?

Recommend 0

M.Saeed

Jan 11, 2016 10:29pm

Is there any Halal McDonald's around in Auckland?

Recommend 0

Another Indian sri1

Jan 11, 2016 10:49pm

@Tot Batot "Don't we have dietitian watching / advising what our players should eat?" Their coffee is pretty good, USA or India. And so are their granola yogurts from the dollar menu. Surprising, but McDonald's has a few healthy options - especially after they did some menu-makeovers a decade back as a targeted effort to make customers not make them an example for junk food. Of course, 70% plus is junk food, if you ask me.

Recommend 0

Ali Shah

Jan 11, 2016 11:14pm

@Canada because you probably don't follow many players. Every once in a while players do eat junk. Well known NFL athletes eat junk from time to time. It doesn't hurt if you don't eat it often. You need to catch up on some reading mate

Recommend 0

Sarwar, USA.

Jan 11, 2016 11:18pm

I have seen the video he looks confused and arrogant... hardly thank or smile. Can he win under this attitude???

Recommend 0

Khanaba

Jan 11, 2016 11:19pm

Common guys after all he is a human being, people do forget things , why some of you making a big deal out of it. I wish I was there I would not even paid that but the entire stay . He is a HERO. Khalas. AFridi Bhai we Pakistanis Love you.

Recommend 0

Dr.Sadaf

Jan 11, 2016 11:21pm

What a beginning of the tour, hope he does not forget how to play.

Recommend 0

Nash

Jan 11, 2016 11:49pm

I guess any Pakistani or fan of cricket who knows these players would do the same. This is a nice gesture.

Recommend 0

Rameez

Jan 11, 2016 11:57pm

Was this McDonald's halal? :/

Recommend 0

RIZ

Jan 12, 2016 12:05am

Are the mcdonalds in New Zealand halal ? just curious

Recommend 0

Saeed Masood

Jan 12, 2016 12:24am

This can happen with anybody in this world...Afridi is star that is why it became a news it was good of this fan to bail him out...but please don't make it a point of discussion...

Recommend 0

parveez

Jan 12, 2016 12:56am

It can happen to anyone, Lala paid for my lunch in a restaurant, when the restaurant, would not take credit card.

Recommend 0

rashid

Jan 12, 2016 01:14am

And why was he eating at McDonald's? An international athlete should NOT be eating at McDonald's. And they wonder why the fitness level of our players is below par. McDonald's, our spices, naan, and the amount of sugar we eat is a perfect recipe for self-destruction.

Recommend 0

Ash20

Jan 12, 2016 01:25am

Wow, these guys do not have credit card?

Recommend 0

ample reverence 4 KSA & Pak Army

Jan 12, 2016 01:37am

But you dawn embarrassed him eventually by publishing this news! What a satire & contradiction. It happens with so many people around the world as they forget.....

Recommend 0

Waseem Tahir

Jan 12, 2016 01:48am

@Sam Well, I'm sure they don't give the money like, dude this is your $50 for today's food. They give them after the series with all the other allowances.

Recommend 0

Naveed

Jan 12, 2016 01:56am

It normally happens when you go on your first ever foreign trip.....

Recommend 0

Riaz

Jan 12, 2016 02:02am

@Canada I work out days week, do extreme hiking every weekend. But I do indulge, along with few other friends who are in same shape as me, occasionally in junk food. There is nothing wrong with junk food once in a while if you regular burn more than 30,000 calories a week. Lets not criticize our heroes for just the the sake of it.

Recommend 0

Deepak S

Jan 12, 2016 02:21am

I would've done the same!

Recommend 0

Asif

Jan 12, 2016 02:34am

If he didn't have the money he could have politely tell the situation and that was it, the person at the counter would have not asked for the money anyways as he did not sold anything. The other thing I am a bit confused is normally you pay while ordering, not after getting the food, isn't it?

Recommend 0

Arun

Jan 12, 2016 02:36am

I can confirm that McDonalds at Auckland airport does accept all major credit cards. However meat there is NOT halal!

Recommend 0

Usman Khan

Jan 12, 2016 04:18am

@Karachiite you have valid point

Recommend 0

Salim

Jan 12, 2016 04:21am

Why make such a big deal out of it? Afridi went in had food, didn't have the cash to pay, bill was paid by a fan, so let it be.

Recommend 0

Pankaj

Jan 12, 2016 04:33am

Why so much controversial comments, I would myself has paid for that and considered myself as celebrity, despite being an Indian who want lala to fail every time against us but do well elsewhere..

Recommend 0

Shdhsn

Jan 12, 2016 05:02am

How is this a news, leave him alone .... Don't insult your T20 captain.

Recommend 0

Ahmed

Jan 12, 2016 05:26am

@RIZ Can't you have a fish or veggie burger? Duh!

Recommend 0

Jan 12, 2016 05:55am

@Arun Fish burger is the option when the rest is not Halal, I am sure Lala would have ordered a fish o fillet burger.

Recommend 0

Sam

Jan 12, 2016 06:10am

@Waseem Tahir dont know about PCB. but atleast with BCCI certain amount is given as spending allowance to players by BCCI before they travel overseas. I know this as my cousin is employed by BCCI..

Recommend 0

Sam

Jan 12, 2016 06:13am

this is not the first time afridi is traveling overseas.. dont he know that Pakistani rupees is not accepted anywhere else. he should atleast carry us dollars or euros which is considered as global money if NewZealand dollar was not available..

Recommend 0

Deem

Jan 12, 2016 06:18am

For those guys questioning Halal, I live in Australia and we can safely eat the fish burger as all other ingredients (beside meat products) are suitable for vegetarians.. I am sure lala had ordered the Fish burger.. :)

Recommend 0

Melbournian

Jan 12, 2016 07:26am

Lala should have had McDonad's in Pakistan before he boarded on a plane to save him the embarrassment!

Recommend 0

TooTrue

Jan 12, 2016 07:32am

This is a elite athlete. Eating at a McDonald's. Don't they learn anything about training?

Recommend 0

SKZ

Jan 12, 2016 07:50am

@Shwetal It could be a fish sandwich or a vege sandwich..

Recommend 0

illawarrior

Jan 12, 2016 07:57am

@Melbournian The trip from Pakistan to New Zealand is of such duration that a meal taken before the trip is not going to sustain anyone for that length of time

Recommend 0

Maqsood Baloch

Jan 12, 2016 08:16am

Many muslims don't get credit card for religious belief, Laala is a religious person too. Moreover, who wont like to pay for him????

Recommend 0

stranger

Jan 12, 2016 08:54am

Usually restaurants inside airports accept many currencies.

Recommend 0

Abdul Rauf

Jan 12, 2016 09:01am

It could happen to anyone anywhere but as its Afridi so its a news!

Recommend 0

Khan- Pakistani

Jan 12, 2016 09:16am

How come these players are travelling without any debit or credit cards ?

Recommend 0

Gary

Jan 12, 2016 09:30am

Until now it was only politicians , now even national players?

Recommend 0

Sharjeel

Jan 12, 2016 09:35am

He is a brand ambassador for HBL for godsake!!!

Recommend 0

Hassan Wali

Jan 12, 2016 09:44am

@bunty. Dear, Credit card is not something worthy to have. Afridi should have money though.

Recommend 0

Sudhir Neyalasinger

Jan 12, 2016 10:00am

Funny that he wasn't carrying his credit card.

Recommend 0

Extended Hope

Jan 12, 2016 11:23am

Have a nice food always at McDonalds. You are more than welcome Lala.

Recommend 0

umair

Jan 12, 2016 12:45pm

@Canada You might want to read a bit about Usain Bolt's love for McNuggets

Recommend 0

Abdulla Hussain

Jan 12, 2016 02:21pm

"McDonald's restaurant situated inside Auckland airport" Afridi in this restaurant do they serve Halal food as well.

Recommend 0

Rahim

Jan 12, 2016 03:17pm

Looks like an advertisement for McDonald's as cricketers do not eat junk food especially before a series!

Recommend 0

Zeeshan Arshad

Jan 12, 2016 04:04pm

I think as a fellow Pakistani , anyone would not like their national heroes to be in a fix especially outside Pakistan. A great gesture from the fan

Recommend 0

Abdullah Karim UAE

Jan 12, 2016 04:48pm

Why he is not eating PCB designated hotel where food is free, always he take his buddy Shahzad with him. Afridi is already 35 yrs and over weight and burger is not suitable for him. No money in pkt.

Recommend 0

Peter Parvez Masud

Jan 13, 2016 01:31am

It just goes to show how simple minded Lala is....it is hilarious but obviously not funny for him, however, like many here, it would have been an honor to pay for Shahid Afridi meal...I assume he doesn't believe in Credit Cards , a well traveled individual but still unspoiled...hats off to you Shahid , one of a kind. I wonder if he ordered Big Mac or Fish-fillet ...just curious.

Recommend 0

Kala Ingrez - کالا انگریز - काला अंग्रेज - কালো ইংরাজি

Jan 13, 2016 02:48am

I wonder what exactly he ate after a long flight in luxury with full meal served along with snacks and breakfasts – enough calories to make any athlete lazy – then on top of it at the airport on arrival - more unhealthy food this time at McDonald with every possible choices except for Hallal. Looks like he may have done this intentionally to lend him an ad with McDonalds in Pakistan, for in taking so many calories, he may be out from the Pakistani Cricket circuit - I am sure the Peshawar cricket team management have few question for him regarding his health?

Recommend 0

Ashamed Paksitani

Jan 13, 2016 02:53am

Rubbish, don't they have credit cards accepted at Mcdonald....

Recommend 0

Cricket-One

Jan 13, 2016 09:32am

Poor Afridi. He is not paid enough in foreign exchange, and he also travels a little, so he doesn't know that carrying local currency in any country, always helps.

Recommend 0

jehanzeb khan

Jan 13, 2016 03:58pm

Shahid Afridi No doubt one of the most hard hitting batsmen in the world. He has the biggest fan club more than any other player in the world. He should play ODIs as well as team needs him a lot. He has the stamina to play till 2018

Recommend 0