Afridi's U-turn: I enjoyed India

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said yesterday his derogatory remarks about Indians and the Indian media had been taken out of context as he sought to dampen anger over the televised outburst

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said yesterday his derogatory remarks about Indians and the Indian media had been taken out of context as he sought to dampen anger over the televised outburst.

Angry kya? Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi

"I have enjoyed my cricket in India and I love Indian people. I have always got a lot of love and affection from Indian fans," Afridi told AFP.

"We went to India with a message of peace and to win hearts and, of course the World Cup," he said, praising what he called a "very warm response" to the Pakistani team from the Indian hosts.

He insisted his remarks had been taken out of context, although he stood by comments about the Indian media.

"There are some negative elements, who needed to be defeated and these same people quoted me out of context," he said.

"I still maintain that some Indian media tried to make things negative around the semi-final which was not acceptable," said Afridi, calling on the media "to play a more positive role".

"Once these positive things prevail, we can see both the countries play together regularly and millions of people enjoy that."