A day after coach Waqar Younis' public apology, Pakistan's under-fire cricket captain Shahid Afridi also sought forgiveness from the people of his country for failing to live upto their expectations during a shambolic World Twenty20 campaign in India.
"I don't care what other people say about me but I am answerable to you (people of Pakistan). Today, I, Shahid Afridi, seek forgiveness from the people of Pakistan for not living upto the expectations that you had from this team and me," Afridi said in a brief video message on his official Twitter page.
Afridi, who is currently in Dubai, is set to be sacked as captain once he returns to the country.
The flamboyant all-rounder is also expected to announce a decision on his cricketing future after the Pakistan Cricket Board made it clear that his place in the side is not guaranteed.
The 36-year-old found himself mired in controversies during Pakistan's World T20 campaign. First, he drew flak in Pakistan for stating that he and his players are loved more in India than back home.
later, Pakistan lost three of their four group stage games, including a high-voltage clash against arch-foes India, to bow out of the tournament.
Amid the dismal on-field run, Afridi stirred up another controversy by specifically thanking Kashmiris for cheering his team in Mohali.
In his video message on Wednesday, Afridi said he has always played with passion for his country.
"For 20 years I have played this game and I have carried the star on my chest for 20 years. I enter the field with the emotions of the whole country with me. This team was not just a team of 11, it was a team of my whole country," he said.
Meanwhile, Unimpressed by Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis' public apology for the team's disastrous World Twenty20 captain, former captains Ramiz Raja and Muhammad Yousuf have said it was a case of too little too late.
Former fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar, however, said he had been pained by the way Waqar had offered his apology on Tuesday before the media.
"Waqar is one of our greats and it was painful to see him apologising. I don't think anything will change by individuals apologising. A lot of things need to be set right in Pakistan cricket," Akhtar said on 'Geo News'.