Waqar Younis, former Pakistan skipper, and bowling coach has made an apology tweet for his ‘namaz’ remark after Pakistan had a 10-wicket win over India in the ongoing T20 World Cup in Dubai on Sunday.
Just a day after the match, the former fast bowler Younis was invited to Pakistan’s ARY News as a guest, to discuss Pakistan’s spectacular win over India, as they broke the winning streak of India. Well, in the ongoing discussion, Younis, who was over-excited because of the amazing win, said that it was very special for him to watch Mohammad Rizwan offering Namaz in front of Hindus during the match. “Rizwan offered Namaz during #INDvPAK match in the middle of Hindus was most satisfying thing Mashallah, even more than his batting”, he said. It was seen in the match, opener Mohammad Rizwan was offering namaz, during the drinks break in the India-Pakistan game.
Well, his comment didn’t turn out to be acceptable by anyone as his comment drew very sharp reactions from the cricket fraternity and Pakistani cricket fans as well. Some of the members of the cricket fraternity and Pakistani fans took to Twitter, and then it was flooded with reactions lambasting Younis for his comment. Many Pakistani fans and others too were offended by the sudden statement made by Younis.
Indian cricket analysts Harsha Bhogle and Akash Chopra had also shown their displeasure over Younis’ ‘namaz’ comments. Harsha Bhogle took to Twitter and wrote, “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 sports and to hear this is terrible.”
After Younis realized the mistake he made after the criticism he received, he made an apology tweet which reads, “In the heat of the moment, I said something which I did not mean which has hurt the sentiments of many. I apologize for this, this was not intended at all, a genuine mistake. Sports unite people regardless of race, color, or religion. #apologies”
On Sunday, Pakistan finally brought an end to India’s continuous winning streak in the T20 World Cup. Pakistan had a 10 wicket win over India in the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup which was conducted in Dubai International stadium. Intent on breaking their run of losses, Pakistan restricted India to 151/7 after electing to field in the T20 showpiece’s blockbuster game, and Pakistan then made light work of the target of 152, completing the win with 13 balls to spare.
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 🙏🏻
— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) October 26, 2021
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
