Kolkata: Former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis apologised on Wednesday for saying that Mohammad Rizwan offering Namaz in front of Hindus during the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup 2021 match was “special.”
Younis justified his words through his official Twitter account, saying it was not his intention.
He said, “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, a genuine mistake.” Younis added that “sports unites people regardless of race, colour, or religion.”
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
Waqar told a Pakistani TV channel that the way Babar and Rizwan batted, the strike-rotation, the look on their faces, it was amazing.
He had added, “The best thing, what Rizwan did, Mashallah, he offered the Namaz on the ground surrounded by Hindus, that was really something very special for me.”
"Rizwan offered Namaz during #INDvPAK match in middle of Hindus was most satisfying thing Mashallah, even more than his batting"
– Waqar Younis & Shoaib Akhtar discusspic.twitter.com/ELTVJSTqh4
— Pakistan Untold (@pakistan_untold) October 26, 2021
Younis apologised after his remark provoked outrage, causing some players, commentators, and fans upset.
Shameless*
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) October 26, 2021
Et tu, Waqar! 🤦
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 26, 2021
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
“Yaaar Waqar lanat yaaar. Why would you say that,” a fan said. “That statement was pathetic,” another added.
At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium earlier on Sunday, Pakistan openers Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam put on a fantastic display as their team beat India by 10 wickets. Rizwan (79*) and Babar (68*) ensured that Indian bowlers had no chance of winning the match, as the two batsmen controlled the proceedings as Pakistan knocked down the 152-run goal without losing a wicket. It was notable because it was the first time India had lost a T20I by ten wickets, and it was also the first time Pakistan had won a T20I by ten wickets.
