Following Pakistan's defeat against arch-rivals India in the T20 World Cup 2024 match at New York, on Sunday, there have been several reactions from former cricketers on various media channels and on social media.
Most experts like former captain, Misbah-ul-Haq have made valid criticisms regarding the poor performances from the ongoing World Cup, in which Pakistan are on the verge of elimination, following back-to-back defeats, leaving them winless in the group stages.
However, there have been indiviuals like former Pakistan cricketer, Ijaz Ahmed who have made inflammatory and derogatory remarks against the players from the national team, while particularly targeting an ethnic group, Pathans or otherwise known as the Pakhtuns, in his latest interview on a TV channel.
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What derogatory remarks did Ijaz Ahmed make about the Pakhtuns?
The former Pakistan cricketer and coach Ijaz Ahmed has come under criticism after making derogatory remarks against Pakhtuns (or Pathans), an ethnic group primarily residing in the country's northwestern part.
He was speaking on a Pakistan TV channel ARY news following Pakistan's 6-run defeat against India in the T20 World Cup 2024 match, when he made the statement, saying:
"Look at the [Pakistan] cricket team now, 80% of it has gone to remote areas like KP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). If you select a team right now, 6-8 of the players are Pathans, who do not have education. They wake up in the morning, to go for namaz with their relatives or brothers, and return back and then they don't leave their homes after that."
He further went on to say that the Pakistan cricketers from such remote villages cannot handle pressure in big tournaments like the World Cup.
"When there is pressure on them [during matches], they cannot handle it."
However, these remarks were met with fury and disgust from netizens on social media. He has been asked to apologise for his derogratory statements against the Pakhtun ethnic group, which also include several key players in the Pakistan cricket team.
SHAME ON EJAZ AHMED for using racist remarks for Pakhtuns! Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produced massive talent for Pakistan Cricket in recent times with the best structure of club cricket. Pakhtuns are famous for being hardworkers simplicity & speaking truth! Ejaz Ahmed must apologize!👋
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) June 10, 2024
Who are some of the Pakistan cricketers from the Pathans ethnic group?
Naseem Shah, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Imad Wasim and Shaheen Afridi are some of the Pathans with Khyber roots, in the current Pakistan National Cricket team.
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