New Delhi , June 14, 2020
World Cup-winning India cricketer and Bharatiya Janata Party MP Gautam Gambhir wished Shahid Afridi a speedy recovery after the Pakistan cricketer on Saturday revealed he had contracted the novel coronavirus.
Gautam Gambhir, speaking at Salaam Cricket 2020, said he might have his political differences with Shahid Afridi but he doesn’t want anyone in the world to be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Nobody should be infected with this virus. I have political differences with Shahid Afridi but I want him to recover as soon as possible. But more than Afridi I want every person infected in my country to get well as soon as possible,” Gauram Gambhir said.
“I have to worry about the people in my country. Pakistan has offered to help India but they need to provide help in their own country first. They have offered to help and I am thankful for that but first they need to eradicate the cross-border terrorism.”
Shahid Afridi, who has been out on the field with his charity organisation Shahid Afridi Foundation, on Saturday took to social media to reveal he had been feeling unwell with a severe backache over the last few days and that he decided to take the test for Covid-19.
“I’ve been feeling unwell since Thursday; my body had been aching badly. I’ve been tested and unfortunately, I’m covid positive. Need prayers for a speedy recovery, InshaAllah (sic),” Afridi said in a social media message.
My prayers are with Afridi: Misbah-ul-Haq
Meanwhile, Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq also wished Shahid Afridi a quick recovery from the virus.
“My prayers & well wishes are with Shahid Afridi. May Allah help him recover soon. He was doing a lot of charity work in Balochistan & Northern Areas for people of those regions. Throughout this situation he’s been helping the poor and has been doing an excellent job,” Misbah was quoted as saying by Pakistan journalist Saj Sadiq.
Shahid Afridi is not the first international cricketer from Pakistan to test positive for the virus. Former opening batsman Taufiq Umar revealed in May that he tested positive for novel coronavirus.
Earlier in April, first-class cricketer from Pakistan, Zafar Sarfaraz also tested positive in April. Sarfaraz, however, was not able to recover as he died due to the virus. ( India Today )
