'Was Poisoned At The Peak Of My Career, Shahid Afridi Helped Me A Lot': Ex-Pak Cricketer

The former Pakistan opener said that Afridi spent some 40-50 lakhs for his treatment.

The ex-Pakistani opener shared shocking details on a podcast. ( Image Source :AFP )

Another shocking story from Pakistan Cricket has come to the fore. While several stunning incidents and revelations tend to become news headlines, this time another massive claim has been made an ex-Pakistani cricketer and this is none other than Imran Nazir.

In a massive claim, Nazir, said that he was poisoned at the peak of his career which led to suffer for several years of his life. However, there was one man who was beside him though thick and thin and it was former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. 

"When I recently got treated, including MRI and all, a statement was issued that I was given poison - Mercury. It is a slow poison; it reaches your joint and damages them. For 8-10 years, all my joints were treated. All my joints had gotten damaged and for this reason, I suffered for almost 6-7 years. But even then, I prayed to God, 'Please don't make me bedridden'. And thankfully, that never happened," Nazir said on the Nadir Ali podcast.

"I used to walk around and all when people used to ask 'You're looking fine'. I doubted a lot of people but when and what did I eat, I cannot figure out. Because the poison doesn't react instantly. It kills you for years. I still never wished bad for whoever did this. The person saving is better than the one who wants to kill," he added.

Nazir played 8 Tests, 79 ODIs and 25 T20Is for the Men in Green. He threatened to take the 2007 T20 World Cup final away from India and was looking in sublime touch as he scored 33 off just 14 deliveries with Pakistan needing 158 to lift the trophy. However, a run out from Robin Uthappa helped India see the back of the right-handed batter.

He talked about receiving help from Afridi on this podcast.

"I have spent my entire life's saving on my treatment. In the end, there was a final treatment, in which Shahid Afridi helped me a lot. He helped me in my time of need. I had nothing left when I met Shahid bhai. Within a day, my doctor received the money in his account," he said before revealing how the former Pakistan all-rounder spent around 40-50 lakh. 

Having made his debut in 1999, his last international appearance for Pakistan came in a T20I against Sri Lanka in 2012.