Huge billboards have sprung up at vantage points in the city urging
cricket lovers to welcome sacked Pakistan captain, Shahid Afridi when
he returns from England tonight.
The billboards, put up by a hitherto unknown "Pakistan cricket
lovers forum", display a picture of Afridi in the green Pakistan kit
and declare him as the "pride of Pakistan" and urge the people to reach
the Karachi airport to welcome Afridi when he returns today at 8.00 PM.
"It is a big sign that Afridi has geared up himself up for a long
legal and otherwise battle with the board in order to come out of the
ongoing controversy with his reputation unharmed," a former Pakistan
captain said.
He pointed out that Afridi and his supporters wanted to ensure a big
turn up at the airport to welcome him tonight to send a clear message
to the board he is not alone and remains hugely popular among the
masses.
When he returned from the World Cup few months back large number of
people showed up at the airport to welcome him whole heartedly.
Afridi has been directed to appear before disciplinary committee of
the board on June 8 in Lahore to respond to several charges of
violating the player''s code of conduct in his central contract. . PTI
