T20 WC: Waqar Younis apologises for 'namaz' remark after facing backlash
Karachi, Oct 27: Waqar Younis on Wednesday apologised for his communal remarks during a television show following Pakistan's 10-wicket victory over India in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
Appearing on the A Sports channel, Younis had spoken about not just the blockbuster match but also how opener Muhammad Rizwan had taken time out during a break in the Pakistan innings to offer prayers on the ground.
"What I liked the most was what Rizwan did. 'Usne Hinduon ke beech mein khade ho ke Namaz padhi (He stood in the middle of the ground and offered prayer in front of Hindus). That was something very very special for me," Younis had said.
Waqar's comments evoked a strong reaction in both the countries for his remarks.
Realising his blunder, Younis came out with an apolgy.
"In the heat of the moment, I said something which I did not mean which has hurt the sentiments of many. I apologise for this, this was not intended at all, genuine mistake. Sports unites people regardless of race, colour or religion," he tweeted.
He also apologised on the same channel.
"Commenting on religious matters is something I never do as I respect every one's religion. I got caught up in the moment and I didn't mean to hurt the sentiments of Hindus in Pakistan, India and anywhere in the world.
"I was very excited after Pakistan's win and those words came out in the heat of the moment. I apologise for it," he added.
Noted cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle too expressed his disappointment.
"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," Bhogle tweeted.
"I really hope that a lot of genuine sports lovers in Pakistan are able to see the dangerous side to this statement and join in my disappointment. It makes it very difficult for sports lovers like us to try and tell people it is just sport, just a cricket match."
India had frozen the bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and not allowed players from the neighbouring country to compete in the much-popular IPL.
In the heat of the moment, I said something which I did not mean which has hurt the sentiments of many. I apologise for this, this was not intended at all, genuine mistake. Sports unites people regardless of race, colour or religion. #apologies šš»
— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) October 26, 2021
Absolutely vile and disgusting comments from Waqar Younis. #Shameful
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) October 27, 2021
"Rizwan offered Namaz during #INDvPAK match in middle of Hindus was most satisfying thing Mashallah, even more than his batting"
— Pakistan Untold (@pakistan_untold) October 26, 2021
- Waqar Younis & Shoaib Akhtar discusspic.twitter.com/ELTVJSTqh4
I really hope that a lot of genuine sportslovers in Pakistan are able to see the dangerous side to this statement and join in my disappointment. It makes it very difficult for sportslovers like us to try and tell people it is just sport, just a cricket match.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 26, 2021
You would think that cricketers, as ambassadors of our game, would be a little more responsible. I am sure there will be an apology on the way from Waqar. We need to unite the cricket world, not divide it by religion
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 26, 2021
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BJP takes out torch rally in Ranchi over women's quota bill
Ranchi (PTI): Jharkhand BJP on Tuesday took out a torch rally in Ranchi against the Congress-led opposition alliance for allegedly obstructing the implementation of the women's reservation bill in the Lok Sabha.
Led by the BJP women's wing, the 'Mahila Aakrosh Mashal Yatra' was taken out from Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk.
Jharkhand BJP president Aditya Sahu, who also took part in the procession, said, "By opposing the Women's Reservation Bill, the Congress-led opposition alliance in Lok Sabha has committed an injustice against women in the country. The people will never forgive them."
Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said, "Historic decisions are being taken to empower women under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but the opposition is obstructing women's rights due to its narrow politics."
Jharkhand BJP women's wing president Aarti Singh said that the women of Jharkhand have now awakened and are ready to fight to any extent for their honour and rights.
