India beat arch-rivals Pakistan for the seventh time in eight meetings in a thrilling encounter in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The match went down to the wire as Pakistan fell short of India's total of 119 by mere 6 runs. Pakistani players and fans were left shell shocked after losing the game from a winning position.
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During the nail-biter though, former wicket keeper, Kamran Akmal made shameful comment on young Indian pacer, Arshdeep Singh and his roots. Akmal was caught mocking the Sikhs on a live show, which has resulted in the Pakistani facing a lot of heat on social media.
What did Kamran Akmal say about Arshdeep Singh?
In the video that went viral on the internet, Akmal was caught using obscene terms to insult and troll Arshdeep before he came to bowl the final over India, with Pakistan needing 18 to win. Arshdeep defended with high class pace bowling, conceding only 11 runs in the over to make sure Pakistan did not chase the target down.
Akmal used the term ‘Barah Bajj Gaye’ to demean the Sikh community, which Arshdeep belongs to.
"Anything can happen (in the game). See, the last over is to be bowled by Arshdeep Singh. He does not look in good rhythm, but anyway. 'Baarah baj Gaye hai', so you never know," Kamran Akmal joked on national television.
Absolutely disgusting, hateful and deplorable statements by Pakistani specialists including former Pak cricketer Kamran Akmal covering #INDVPAK match against Indian player Arshdeep Singh because he is Sikh. pic.twitter.com/o3zlDTwHRA
— Frontalforce 🇮🇳 (@FrontalForce) June 10, 2024
Another Indian bowler who represented the Indian team in the 2007 T20 World Cup, and a follower of the Sikh community, Harbhajan Singh has slammed Akmal for his belittling comments on Sikhs.
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Harbhajan Singh terms Kamran Akmal 'Nalaayak’
In a recent interview, Harbhjan said that statements made by Akmal were very absurd, also calling the former ‘Nalaayak.’ The word ‘Nalaayak’ roughly translates to worthless or undeserving in English.
"This is a very absurd statement and a very childish act that only a 'Nalaayak' person can do. Kamran Akmal should understand that there is no need to say anything about anyone's religion and make fun of it. I would like to ask Kamran Akmal if you know the history of Sikhs, who are Sikhs and all the work that Sikhs have done to save your community, your mothers, sisters. Ask this from your ancestors, at 12 o'clock the Sikhs used to attack Mughals and rescue your mothers and sisters, so stop talking nonsense. It is good that he understood so quickly and apologized but he should never again try to hurt any Sikh or any religion," Harbhajan said.
This is not the first time that Pakistanis have come under fire for derogatory comments, they don’t ever spare their own. Following the defeat, former convicted fixer Saleem Malik accused Imad Wasim of possible match fixing under a lot of frustration.
He was later slammed for his comments by the likes of legendary Australian cricketer, Adam Gilchrist and ex-Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif.
READ MORE: 'Team is scared' - Saleem Malik on Pakistan's slow scoring rate against Canada
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