Shaheen Afridi's tweet draws attention amid Imran Khan's arrest

Former international cricket star turned politician Imran Khan, who became the 22nd prime minister of Pakistan, was arrested from the premises of Islamabad High Court on Tuesday.

Being a spectacular cricketing figure of his time and, most importantly, rounding off his career with the 1992 World Cup, Khan has always enjoyed massive support from the cricket fraternity.  Many cricketers came out in his support and condemned his melodramatic arrest.

Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi also took over his Twitter and shared an Islamic quote, preaching peace and harmony amongst Muslim brothers.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said,

“Momino ki apas me aik dosre se mohabbat or hamdardi ki misaal aik jism ki tarah hai.
Jab uska koi hissa takleef me hota hai, to sara jism us takleef ko mehsoos kerta hai.”

Bus ye yad rakhna hai k Pakistan hai, to hum hain. 🙏 🇵🇰 #Peace pic.twitter.com/uofgLkjdOp

— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) May 10, 2023

Shortly after the tweet went viral - it received a spectrum of reactions from the audiences, however 'mixed and alloyed’. Some appreciated the post and called it a peace-promoting gesture, while others called it a hypocritical and diplomatic move. 

The Greatest there is, the greatest there was, the greatest there ever will be https://t.co/ZFzFwiRGoi

— A. (@Ahmadridismo) May 10, 2023

Thank You So Much Shaheen For Standing Up With The Right. Everyone out there should have these guts...
Our Champ @iShaheenAfridi https://t.co/uLNJ14fOFN pic.twitter.com/RdGHv2nmyc

— Anfal Khan (@anfalkhanpti) May 10, 2023

You are brave and it needs guts to do this. You will forever be respected by Pakistani people. We will forever love you. ❤️ https://t.co/gGJCGDBgNz

— Rania Ali (@Rania_B56) May 10, 2023

Takes a lot of guts for an active cricketer to do this. Thank you for not disappointing your biggest fan. https://t.co/Cy5xRABoNI pic.twitter.com/6LyJ6MFzZK

— Abdullah (@michaelscottfc) May 10, 2023

Even when Muhammad SAW started spreading Islam in Makkah the Quraish persecuted Muslims for bringing a new order while acknowledging Muhammad SAW is an honest, truthful and trustworthy man.

History teaches us a lot of lessons. Sometimes we cannot stay neutral. Choose a side. https://t.co/KvmrBj1YDq

— Osama Bin Liaqat Mir (@oblmir) May 10, 2023

nah this ain't itt
neutral behavior, as expected https://t.co/Hkns4wP6Fj

— sun dus 🪐 (@dwSundus) May 10, 2023

Religion sells so let’s sell it. https://t.co/22HBwbJgSJ

— Amber (@2moonlanding) May 10, 2023

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. https://t.co/oOyr38eukL

— Rutaba 🇵🇰 (@cuterutaba) May 10, 2023

Shaheen changed his profile picture with Imran Khan in a flash, which was taken in one of the meetings, to show his support for the ex-Pakistan captain.

Due to Khan's arrest, violent clashes between police forces and followers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party erupted in various cities throughout the country.  Authorities closed down schools nationwide and continued their efforts to limit access to social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.