Shahid Afridi clarifies stand on his India comment

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, who sparked a controversy by purportedly saying on a news channel in his country that Indians are not large hearted people, said Tuesday he has been quoted out of context by the media which “sensationalizes small issues.”

“All I said is that Pakistan had shown a large heart when India went there and so India should also show the same,” said Afridi in an interview to NDTV.

He said it is a shame that things were blown out of proportion.

Pakistan lost to India in a high-voltage semifinal match in Mohali in the World Cup on Mar 30.

The match was also used by the politicians of the two nations to improve their on-off diplomatic relations with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani watching the game together at the invitation of the former.

“I enjoyed my cricket in India always and most. Cricketers in India are valued more than in Pakistan. For me all are same. I never see Hindu or Muslim or religion,” he said, adding that he would want to listen once again what he said.

“I got a lot of love from India,” he said.

“Media should play a positive role and not make big issue out of this small things. We are like brothers,” Afridi said, adding that he did not say anything under pressure.

He said they were not treated well by Indian media anyway when they came and it was not good for friendly relations.

“I think cricketers and actors of Bollywood can bring the two people together. It is not a big deal,” he said.