Asia Cup row: BJP targets Rahul over Afridi's remarks; Cong hits back with old pic

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) connected Tuesday targeted Congress person Rahul Gandhi aft erstwhile Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi called the Congress scion a person with a "positive mindset".Lamenting implicit the Indian cricket team's determination to skip the customary handshake with the Pakistani squad during Sunday's Asia Cup clash, Afridi said: "This is simply a despicable mindset, which volition proceed till the clip helium (PM Modi) is their head. There are besides bully ones similar Rahul Gandhi with a affirmative mindset, who wants to cooperate with the World done dialogue. Isn't Israel capable that you're trying to go similar Israel here?".Reacting to Afridi's remark, Union curate Kiren Rijiju called Rahul Gandhi a "darling of Pakistan," saying "Pakistani radical could adjacent marque Rahul Gandhi their leader"."Rahul Gandhi has been the darling of Pakistan! Shahid Afridi and the Pakistani radical could adjacent marque Rahul Gandhi their leader," Rijiju wrote connected X.BJP's I-T section main Amit Malviya besides cornered Rahul Gandhi, saying: "When enemies of Bharat commencement cheering for you, the radical of India cognize precisely wherever your loyalties lie".

"Rabid Hindu-hater Shahid Afridi, who ne'er misses a accidental to spew venom against India and imagination of Kashmir joining Pakistan, is abruptly each praise for Rahul Gandhi. Afridi says Rahul wants “dialogue” with Pakistan, portion attacking PM Modi by comparing India’s argumentation connected Pakistan to Israel’s actions successful Gaza," Malviya wrote connected X.

He further wrote: "Why is it that each India-hater finds a person successful Rahul Gandhi? When enemies of Bharat commencement cheering for you, the radical of India cognize precisely wherever your loyalties lie."Hitting backmost astatine Malviya, Congress's societal media chairperson Supriya Shrinate posted a photograph of Anurag Thakur with Shahid Afridi during an India-Pakistan lucifer that took spot successful February this year.

The contention erupted aft Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha and India skipper Suryakumar Yadav did not speech the customary handshake during the flip astatine the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The PCB alleged that Pycroft had specifically instructed Salman to debar shaking hands with his Indian counterpart.The concern escalated aft India’s seven-wicket triumph erstwhile Suryakumar shook hands lone with teammate Shivam Dube and walked disconnected without acknowledging the Pakistani players.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) besides filed a ceremonial ailment with the International Cricket Council (ICC), accusing lucifer referee Andy Pycroft of violating the ICC Code of Conduct and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Laws regarding the Spirit of Cricket.However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) formally turned down the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) petition to regenerate lucifer referee Andy Pycroft during the ongoing Asia Cup. The PCB president Mohsin Naqvi threatened to retreat from the remaining Asia Cup 2025 matches if lucifer referee Andy Pycroft is not removed.A PCB source, however, told TOI that "it is precise improbable that the PCB volition propulsion retired from the Asia Cup".