Journo row: Afridi says media is making mountain out of molehill

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi on Wednesday complained that the media blows insignificant issues completely out of proportion and then airs them as breaking news.

Afridi was criticized for lashing out at a journalist when he was questioned about the team’s performance under his captaincy. Khan replied, “I was expecting such a cheap question from you.”

The journalists took exception to Afridi's remarks and boycotted the press conference.

Later, speaking in the Geo News program ‘Report Card’, the seasoned cricketer clarified his earlier remarks, saying a certain journalist had been targeting him for some time.

The mega cricket star said the reporter had spread ‘false news’ in Dubai that he (Afridi) asked a junior player to wipe his shoes. “I didn't ask any junior player to clean my shoes but it was the youngster who insisted on it and took my shoes for cleaning out of pure respect,” he added.

Afridi claimed the reporter has been using ‘inappropriate language’ and that he (Afridi) even filed a complaint against him.

He said only two-three months of his cricket career were left and he needed the media’s support.