 "'Sorry on behalf of Pakistan': Pakistanis condemn Waqar Younis for Namaz ‘in front of Hindus’ comment")
Waqar Younis proudly calls himself a former Pakistan cricket team coach, captain and a proud fast bowler for Pakistan on Twitter but not a ‘gentleman’. The irony of the situation could not have been starker. The poor comment by Younis was neither off the record nor did it help to enhance the image of game which is till date often referred to as gentleman’s game. Younis’ comment was a pathetic hit wicket where he lost respect as a former cricketer of glory nothing akin to a gentleman who played the gentleman’s game for so long representing his country Pakistan. He was invited as a guest to ARYNews anchor Kashif Abbasi’s show Off The Record to discuss Pakistan’s spectacular win against India in the ongoing T20 World Cup in Dubai. However, the discussion was hardly about cricket, but mostly to spew venom against India. In a shocking comment, Younis said during the show on Monday that it was very special for him to watch Mohammad Rizwan offer Namaz in front of Hindus during the match. His comment, which can be easily described as ’this is not cricket’, drew a sharp reaction from cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle who termed it as ‘one of the most disappointing things I have heard’.
For a person of Waqar Younis' stature to say that watching Rizwan offering namaz in front of Hindus was very special to him, is one of the most disappointing things I have heard. A lot of us try hard to play such things down and talk up sport and to hear this is terrible.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 26, 2021
And many Pakistanis agreed with Bhogle said. Talal Asif Dar, who works for GNN, tweeted out to say ‘Sorry on behalf of Pakistan’ for the completely unacceptable comments made by Younis.
Sir when I heard Waqar Younis say this, I was very disappointed. But now I am even more sorry after seeing your tweet. You are someone who has always stood for peace, harmony. And if you are disappointed, it shows how harmful his statement was. Sorry on behalf of Pakistan (2/2)
— Talal Asif Dar (@DarTalal) October 26, 2021
“As someone who grew up idolising Waqar, this was very disappointing to see,” said Pakistani journalist Humayoun Ahmed Khan.
Huma, who describes herself as “dream lover ❤ #cricket lover, wanna be a presenter, #Pakistan proud” also had a lesson for the former fast bowler in her response to Bhogle’s tweet. “As a sportperson u’re an ambasador of peace how can u even say that,” she said.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAnother Pakistani, Muddassir Khalid said “agreed, irresponsible statement by Waqar” reacting to Bhogle and said Rizwan’s “intention was not to show off or put anyone down”.
Rizwan always offers prayers during matches, he even plays fasting during Ramadan. His intention was not to show off or put anyone down. But agreed, irresponsible statement by Waqar
— Muddassir Khalid (@mkhalid_77) October 26, 2021
Bakhtawer Shaikh, a banker, strategy specialist and risk analyst from Karachi, termed Younis’s comments as “rubbish”.
I was proud of him too about not missing his prayer but what is this rubbish about offering it in front of Hindus? https://t.co/x7OloaqsWt
— Bakhtawar Shaikh (@BakhtawerShaikh) October 26, 2021
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