In recent years, former Pakistan captain fast bowler Waqar Younis has found ways to get into the news – and almost always for his comments against the Indian cricket team and Indians.
This time, as the Ind-Pak clash at the Asia Cup 2022 looms, Waqar Younis is making headlines once again. And this time fans are so severe on him that they are demanding his removal from the commentary panel of the India-Pakistan encounter on August 28, in Dubai.
Fans have brought up Waqar Younis’ Hinduphobic remark from last year after Babar Azam’s team had thumped India by 10 wickets in their T20 World Cup 2021 match.
One of their ministers, Sheikh Rasheed had termed Pakistan’s win over India in the World Cup as a ‘victory of Islam’ but what was more striking and shocking was Waqar’s remarks, especially as a former cricketer, a former coach and a respected pundit.
“And the most beautiful thing that Rizwan did was he offered Namaz in the ground itself in front of Hindus. For me that was the most satisfying thing, Mashallah, that was really something very, very special for me,” Waqar had said during the discussion on ARY News.
This blew up horribly in the face of the expert as fans lashed at him – even some Pakistani fans were upset by Waqar’s comment.
“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
Waqar then offered an apology, stating he had said those things in the heat of the moment which he didn’t mean and didn’t want to hurt anyone’s sentiments.
“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 had tweeted in his apology.
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
However, fans have not forgotten Waqar’s initial comments about Hindus. And, when the list of commentators for the Asia Cup was announced, netizens came up in big numbers to once again remind everyone of the former pacer’s opinion.
English commentators for Asia Cup 2022:
Ravi Shastri, Irfan Pathan, Gautam Gambhir, Russel Arnold, Deep Dasgupta, Scott Styris, Sanjay Manjrekar, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Athar Ali Khan.
Angry fans demanded that Waqar be removed from the commentary panel:
Asia Cup 2022 official broadcasters Star Sports announced commentators & Ex Pakistani cricketer Waqar Younis is one of them. pic.twitter.com/lxbbIxVrHy
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) August 20, 2022
“kindly sack this stupid from your Commentry panal [sic]” one user wrote requesting the broadcaster Star Sports.
Dear @StarSportsIndia kindly sack this stupid from your Commentry panal. Or we Indians totally boycott #AsiaCup2022 . @StarSportsTamil @ianuragthakur @SGanguly99 @JayShah @PMOIndia @BCCI #AsiaCup2022 https://t.co/mrH5AgeFEr
— Shivam Singh
(@ShivamS60584695) August 21, 2022
(@ShivamS60584695) “We will watch Asia Cup 2022 by keeping your broadcast on mute,” another Twitter user wrote.
Dear @StarSportsIndia
We will watch #AsiaCup2022 by keeping your broadcast on mute. Also watching it on @DDNational or @ddsportschannel is an option too.
Hope this doesn’t harm your reputation/revenues; but if it
does, do rethink your decision.#WaqarYounis @BCCI @PMOIndia https://t.co/pqxmPqmdJ9— श्रीनिवास
@BCCI hope you don’t want to boycott by people of India…in future waise hi IPL se shuru ho gaya hai ye khel @StarSportsIndia review your decision. https://t.co/3bIue7Q9Ec
— Darkota_City
(@Darkota_City) @StarSportsIndia drop this hindu hater paki commentator from Asia Cup or else we unsubscribe your channel and tell others to do so. https://t.co/kFZmHgLdbr
— ishi Singh (@ishiSingh18) August 21, 2022
#Hinduphobic approach isn’t acceptable from @StarSportsIndia https://t.co/lveM23eVUI
— Kawachi
(@iKawachii) The Asia Cup 2022 will begin on August 27 with Sri Lanka taking on Afghanistan in Dubai.
