- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
A few weeks ago, I came to know that Shahid Afridi would be visiting Bahrain to promote the Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF). Whilst the idea of meeting one of Pakistan's most iconic and impressive personalities was an interesting one, it was clear from what I had heard before that meeting 'Lala' in person for a chat, let alone an interview was near impossible.
Shahid Afridi's views about some elements of media were well-known and it was almost common knowledge that a one-on-one chat with the man who we all know as 'Boom Boom' could only be done under exceptional circumstances.
Imagine the shock and feeling of absolute exhilaration when a message from someone close to Afridi appeared on my Whatsapp on Wednesday. The words "Lala will see you at 7:30pm" are still etched in my memory but at that time I had to sit down and read it again, again and again. Was this really happening? Had PakPassion.net been granted an audience with someone whose distrust of the media is well known?
Like a man on a mission, eyes glazed and still wondering if this wasn't an elaborate prank, I drove down to the hotel where Pakistan's most well-loved star was staying, fully aware that until I was sitting in front of him, nothing could be taken for granted.
PakPassion.net staff waited glued to their phone as if they were following a landing on Mars. They would be waiting for any news or indication from me that the interview had been completed. For most of us in PakPassion, time was slowing down to a stop in the minutes and hours leading to this interview.
I arrived at the hotel, walked up to security and said, I am here from PakPassion.net. A part of me was prepared for a walk back to my car at this point but lo and behold, the security man looked at his list and waved me on!
This was getting real now and as I approached the luxury villa reserved for Afridi, my heart was pounding. The thought that I had forgotten to pack my audio-recorder or camera crossed my mind as I rang the bell but I had to take control of my senses. I wondered what it would be like meeting Shahid Afridi. Would he just look at me with daggers drawn or simply ignore me. He had been told about our website & discussion forums so clearly he was aware of the reason why I was there but would he oblige or have a change of mind?
The door opened and a congenial waiter ushered me in. "Mr. Afridi is sitting in the outside area", he pointed towards a part of the hotel villa which backed out to the sea. And there he was, Mr. Afridi! I walked in, said my Salams. Afridi sitting on the sofa looked up at me, got up and shook my hands and asked me to sit down.
Silence followed for a few seconds and then he asked me about what we do in PakPassion. He spoke about his distrust of the media which had misreported him many times in the past at which point my heart sank. Is he about to tell me to get lost?!
"I have been told a lot about you so lets talk", said Afridi and suddenly my interview with Shahid Khan Afridi was underway! We spoke a good 10-15 minutes and then when the formal part of the interview ended, we spoke more about how much cricket meant for Pakistanis inside and outside Pakistan. I know that we have all seen Afridi on the screens and in interviews but to be there in person and share thoughts on so many topics was very special.
Our meeting ended about an hour after I had walked in and as I said my goodbyes, there was a feeling of achievement which I had not experienced before. The image of an impatient sportsman who was loved and hated for the same reasons by millions around the world, was now replaced with someone who is as human as us and one who is now firmly committed to bringing joy to millions away from the cricket fields of the world. The Shahid Afridi I saw that evening in Bahrain is someone who we can all be proud of regardless of our political or ethnic biases. The pleasure and thrill of meeting the real 'Boom Boom' still sits in my head to this day and will be something I will tell my grandchildren one day.
As I sat in the car to drive home that evening, I typed the words "it's done" on my Whatsapp to the waiting colleagues in our Admin team; there was a moment of silence as if everyone stood back in shock themselves, and then as the full meaning of my words sunk in came the congratulations and reactions which would have tested the Emoji power of any phone. My family from around the world joined in the celebrations and to tell you the truth, I had to switch off my phone in case I crashed my car on the way back!
Shahid Afridi's ability to surprise us is not something new but what has impressed me most watching him at the SAF charity dinner is his absolute determination to bring smiles back to the faces of millions in his country. Even those who were his rivals on the field of play are now joining hands to help Afridi in this cause. He may have disappointed a few when he would walk back after a short stay at the crease but even his worst critics cannot deny that given the strength of his commitment and the justness of his cause in this second innings in his life, he will never be out. #HopeNotOut
Shahid Afridi's views about some elements of media were well-known and it was almost common knowledge that a one-on-one chat with the man who we all know as 'Boom Boom' could only be done under exceptional circumstances.
Imagine the shock and feeling of absolute exhilaration when a message from someone close to Afridi appeared on my Whatsapp on Wednesday. The words "Lala will see you at 7:30pm" are still etched in my memory but at that time I had to sit down and read it again, again and again. Was this really happening? Had PakPassion.net been granted an audience with someone whose distrust of the media is well known?
Like a man on a mission, eyes glazed and still wondering if this wasn't an elaborate prank, I drove down to the hotel where Pakistan's most well-loved star was staying, fully aware that until I was sitting in front of him, nothing could be taken for granted.
PakPassion.net staff waited glued to their phone as if they were following a landing on Mars. They would be waiting for any news or indication from me that the interview had been completed. For most of us in PakPassion, time was slowing down to a stop in the minutes and hours leading to this interview.
I arrived at the hotel, walked up to security and said, I am here from PakPassion.net. A part of me was prepared for a walk back to my car at this point but lo and behold, the security man looked at his list and waved me on!
This was getting real now and as I approached the luxury villa reserved for Afridi, my heart was pounding. The thought that I had forgotten to pack my audio-recorder or camera crossed my mind as I rang the bell but I had to take control of my senses. I wondered what it would be like meeting Shahid Afridi. Would he just look at me with daggers drawn or simply ignore me. He had been told about our website & discussion forums so clearly he was aware of the reason why I was there but would he oblige or have a change of mind?
The door opened and a congenial waiter ushered me in. "Mr. Afridi is sitting in the outside area", he pointed towards a part of the hotel villa which backed out to the sea. And there he was, Mr. Afridi! I walked in, said my Salams. Afridi sitting on the sofa looked up at me, got up and shook my hands and asked me to sit down.
Silence followed for a few seconds and then he asked me about what we do in PakPassion. He spoke about his distrust of the media which had misreported him many times in the past at which point my heart sank. Is he about to tell me to get lost?!
"I have been told a lot about you so lets talk", said Afridi and suddenly my interview with Shahid Khan Afridi was underway! We spoke a good 10-15 minutes and then when the formal part of the interview ended, we spoke more about how much cricket meant for Pakistanis inside and outside Pakistan. I know that we have all seen Afridi on the screens and in interviews but to be there in person and share thoughts on so many topics was very special.
Our meeting ended about an hour after I had walked in and as I said my goodbyes, there was a feeling of achievement which I had not experienced before. The image of an impatient sportsman who was loved and hated for the same reasons by millions around the world, was now replaced with someone who is as human as us and one who is now firmly committed to bringing joy to millions away from the cricket fields of the world. The Shahid Afridi I saw that evening in Bahrain is someone who we can all be proud of regardless of our political or ethnic biases. The pleasure and thrill of meeting the real 'Boom Boom' still sits in my head to this day and will be something I will tell my grandchildren one day.
As I sat in the car to drive home that evening, I typed the words "it's done" on my Whatsapp to the waiting colleagues in our Admin team; there was a moment of silence as if everyone stood back in shock themselves, and then as the full meaning of my words sunk in came the congratulations and reactions which would have tested the Emoji power of any phone. My family from around the world joined in the celebrations and to tell you the truth, I had to switch off my phone in case I crashed my car on the way back!
Shahid Afridi's ability to surprise us is not something new but what has impressed me most watching him at the SAF charity dinner is his absolute determination to bring smiles back to the faces of millions in his country. Even those who were his rivals on the field of play are now joining hands to help Afridi in this cause. He may have disappointed a few when he would walk back after a short stay at the crease but even his worst critics cannot deny that given the strength of his commitment and the justness of his cause in this second innings in his life, he will never be out. #HopeNotOut
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