Waqar Younis has posted an apology for his controversial remarks in wake of Pakistan’s 10-wicket win over India at the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. Waqar Younis created a storm by terming Mohammad Rizwan offering Namaz during the drinks break of the contest as ‘special’ because he did that in front of Hindus.
Having been widely criticized for the comments, Waqar Younis was now claiming he said it in the heat of the moment, calling it a ‘genuine mistake’.
Waqar Younis Said He Didn’t Mean To Hurt Sentiments Of Hindus By His Comment
While speaking, Waqar Younis, who played 87 Tests and 262 ODIs, said the biggest takeaway for him from Pakistan’s dominating performance was Mohammad Rizwan offering Namaz.
“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, colour, or religion,” read a tweet posted from Waqar’s official Twitter account late Tuesday.
What I liked the most is what Rizwan did. He stood in the middle of the ground and read the prayers, in front of the Hindus),” Waqar was quoted as saying.
The win was Pakistan’s first win in 13 World Cup matches (seven in the 50 over World Cup and six in the Twenty20 World Cup) dating back to 1992 in Australia. Lanky paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi put India on the back foot from the start with the wickets of openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul off his first seven deliveries. He finished with 3-31 after dismissing India’s top scorer, skipper Virat Kohli for 57 in a total of 151-7 in 20 overs.
Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq both had a year still left in their tenures, having taken charge in September 2019. However, the pressure on them was mounting after Pakistan had endured plenty of crushing overseas losses under their reign, so both quit together.
Harsha Bhogle Disappointed To Hear ‘Mohammad Rizwan’s Offering Namaz Was Special’ From A Person Like Waqar Younis’ Stature
The remarks drew a sharp reaction from the Indian cricket fraternity, with the likes of Venkatesh Prasad, Aakash Chopra, and noted commentator Harsha Bhogle slamming the former Pakistan cricketer. Harsha Bhogle said it’s “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,” Bhogle said.
“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.“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,” he added.
Skipper Babar Azam, along with fellow opener Mohammad Rizwan knocked off the target of 152 odd in 17.5 overs without losing a single wicket. Babar Azam hit 68, not out, while Mohammed Rizwan finished with an undefeated 79.