New Delhi: Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has opened up about his controversial remarks about Sikhs while discussing Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh on a Pakistani TV show during the T20 World Cup, which sparked widespread outrage and infuriated former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.
About a month later, Akmal and Harbhajan faced off in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) tournament between India and Pakistan in Birmingham.
The recent clash between former cricket rivals Harbhajan and Kamran has attracted a lot of attention in the sports world. The incident, which took place after a match, was captured on video and shared widely on social media platforms.
Recounting the conversation, Akmal told Paktv.tv: “It was (a mistake I made) and it was the only thing that was talked about. It was not my intention and I cannot think negatively about anyone’s religion. I made that very clear. I am young and they are my seniors and are great off-spinners in Indian and world cricket so that is what I should have done.”
“After that, we had a discussion and maybe you saw Babar being mocked. No doubt Babar is a great batsman in Pakistan cricket and has scored the most hundreds for Pakistan. Brian Lara and Babar are not matched and should not be compared. But as cricketers, we should not mock anyone. So I spoke about it and he (Harbhajan) also agreed that such things should not happen from his side,” he added.
The controversy stemmed from an inappropriate comment made by Kamran Akmal during the T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and India, which India narrowly won by six runs.
Reacting to Akmal’s remarks, Harbhajan said, “Kamran Akmal should understand that there is no need to say anything about anyone’s religion or make fun of it. I would like to ask Kamran Akmal if he knows the history of Sikhs, who Sikhs are and all the work that Sikhs have done to save your community, your mothers and sisters.”
Following the backlash, Kamran Akmal issued a public apology: “I deeply regret my recent comments and offer my sincere apologies to @harbhajan_singh and the Sikh community. My comments were inappropriate and disrespectful. I have the utmost respect for Sikhs around the world and never intended to hurt anyone. I am truly sorry,” Akmal wrote to X.
About a month later, Akmal and Harbhajan faced off in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) tournament between India and Pakistan in Birmingham.
The recent clash between former cricket rivals Harbhajan and Kamran has attracted a lot of attention in the sports world. The incident, which took place after a match, was captured on video and shared widely on social media platforms.
Recounting the conversation, Akmal told Paktv.tv: “It was (a mistake I made) and it was the only thing that was talked about. It was not my intention and I cannot think negatively about anyone’s religion. I made that very clear. I am young and they are my seniors and are great off-spinners in Indian and world cricket so that is what I should have done.”
“After that, we had a discussion and maybe you saw Babar being mocked. No doubt Babar is a great batsman in Pakistan cricket and has scored the most hundreds for Pakistan. Brian Lara and Babar are not matched and should not be compared. But as cricketers, we should not mock anyone. So I spoke about it and he (Harbhajan) also agreed that such things should not happen from his side,” he added.
The controversy stemmed from an inappropriate comment made by Kamran Akmal during the T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and India, which India narrowly won by six runs.
Reacting to Akmal’s remarks, Harbhajan said, “Kamran Akmal should understand that there is no need to say anything about anyone’s religion or make fun of it. I would like to ask Kamran Akmal if he knows the history of Sikhs, who Sikhs are and all the work that Sikhs have done to save your community, your mothers and sisters.”
Following the backlash, Kamran Akmal issued a public apology: “I deeply regret my recent comments and offer my sincere apologies to @harbhajan_singh and the Sikh community. My comments were inappropriate and disrespectful. I have the utmost respect for Sikhs around the world and never intended to hurt anyone. I am truly sorry,” Akmal wrote to X.
