In the aftermath of a controversial statement made by former teammate Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, the ex-captain of the Pakistan cricket team, has distanced himself from the comments involving Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. During a recent event where Afridi was present along with Razzaq and Umar Gul, the latter criticised Babar Azam and Pakistan’s performance in the Cricket World Cup 2023. The controversy arose when Razzaq’s comments took an inappropriate turn, drawing widespread criticism on social media.
Lack of Awareness and Apology Intentions
Afridi, upon reviewing the clip, expressed his lack of awareness regarding the content of Razzaq’s statement. He clarified that he will communicate with Razzaq to convey the need for an apology. “I saw the clip when I went home and realised that Abdul Razzaq made a wrong statement. I knew he had a mike in his hand and will say something. He has a habit of getting beaten by shoes. I will just text him to apologize for what he said as it was wrong,” Afridi stated.
Umar Gul, another former Pakistani fast bowler present at the event, took to social media to clarify the context of the incident. He emphasized that neither he nor Afridi clapped to endorse Razzaq’s remarks; instead, it was in sarcasm. Gul asserted that no one present appreciated or endorsed Razzaq’s comments, deeming them ethically and morally wrong. Gul’s statement was posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) to address the controversy surrounding the event.
Shoaib Akhtar’s Condemnation
The controversy sparked condemnation from fellow ex-Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar, who took a firm stand against the inappropriate joke made by Razzaq. Akhtar expressed strong disapproval, stating, “No woman should be disrespected like this. People seated beside him should have raised their voice right away rather than laughing & clapping.” His statement highlighted the importance of immediate intervention in such situations to discourage disrespectful behavior.
Razzaq’s comment involving Aishwarya Rai Bachchan received widespread criticism on social media platforms. The incident highlighted the significance of responsible speech, especially in public forums. The public outcry reflects a growing awareness of the need for respectful and considerate communication, irrespective of the context.
