Former Pakistani cricketer Abdul Razzaq faced controversy due to a recent comment made at an event. While discussing the performance and coaching strategies of the Pakistan cricket team in a press conference, he used a metaphor involving actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
This sparked widespread outrage on social media, with netizens and fellow cricketers expressing their displeasure. In response, Razzaq has issued a public apology to address the backlash.
Abdul Razzaq Issues Apology Amid Uproar Over Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Remark
After facing extensive criticism on social media, Pakistani cricketer Abdul Razzaq addressed the controversy in a viral video. In the nearly 27-second clip, he clarified, “I’m Abdul Razaaq… during the press conference, while discussing cricket coaching and intentions, I had a slip of the tongue and mistakenly mentioned Aishwarya Rai’s name. I apologize to her personally. My intention was not to hurt anyone. I meant to use a different example but mistakenly used her name.”
Interestingly, the apology surfaced hours subsequent to widespread condemnation from various former teammates and prominent figures within the cricket community regarding Razzaq’s statement.
Renowned Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, expressing his dissatisfaction with the statement, penned a note on social media. The message conveyed, “In my opinion, we won’t truly aim to improve and uplift the players. If you think I’ll marry Aishwarya (Rai) to have a well-mannered and virtuous child, you need to reassess your intentions first.”
For those unfamiliar with the context, during a recent press conference, Pakistan’s media raised inquiries about the team’s performance in the ICC World Cup 2023. Criticizing the Pakistan Cricket Board, Razzaq remarked, “I am specifically addressing their (PCB’s) intentions. When I was playing, I could sense the good intentions of my captain, Younis Khan. This provided me with strength and confidence, and with Allah’s assistance, I was able to contribute positively to Pakistani cricket.”