Karachi kid Afridi gets hero’s welcome

Shahid Afridi flew home to a hero’s welcome in Pakistan and promptly dedicated their World Twenty20 triumph to victims of terror in his troubled nation. ‘Throughout the tournament i only thought about winning this for those people who’ve been affected by terrorism in our country,’ said the all-rounder after arriving in Karachi yesterday. ‘The troubled conditions, the way Pakistan is being isolated as a cricket nation, all this spurred the team to win the cup.’ Afridi was man of the match in Pakistan’s semi-final and final wins and was lifted onto the shoulders of fans in recognition of his exploits in the eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka on Sunday at Lord’s.