Former stars of fierce cricket rivals India and Pakistan traded online barbs Tuesday over New Delhi's explosive decision to strip restive Kashmir of its autonomous status. Indian ex-cricketer Gautam Gambhir took a swipe at Pakistan's Shahid Afridi after he urged the United Nations to intervene in the move to bring the state under the national government's direct rule.
"Kashmiris must be given their due rights as per UN resolution. The rights of Freedom like all of us," Afridi, who announced his retirement from international cricket last year after playing 398 one-day matches, wrote on Twitter. "Why was @UN created & why is it sleeping? The unprovoked aggression & crimes being committed in Kashmir against Humanity must be noted. The @POTUS must play his role to mediate."
Afridi has been vocal about his political views online, often getting in to a social media fights with Gambhir, who is now a member of parliament for Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party. The 37-year-old Gambhir, who quit all forms of cricket in December, was quick to respond to Afridi's post.