New Delhi: Amid intense criticism for the Pakistan players from all corners, former Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad launched a scathing attack at wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan, accusing him of playing the religion card. Shehzad comments come after Rizwan spoke about being an ambassador of Islam first then being an ambassador for his country in a press conference.
Rizwan was part of the Babar Azam-led Pakistan squad which suffered a disappointing exit from the group stage for the T20 World Cup 2024. Pakistan suffered back-to-back defeats against USA and India, confirming their early elimination from the tournament. It was an abysmal campaign for Babar & Co. and there have been calls for a major revamp in the squad after their poor show.
After returning from the US, Rizwan held a press conference where he admitted that the criticism from the fans was justified considering Pakistan’s dismal run in the tournament. In the presser, he also spoke about being a brand ambassador of Islam first and representing his religion wherever he goes.
“I believe that a human being is a brand ambassador of two things. If a person is a Muslim, he is an ambassador of Islam. Pakistan doesn’t matter as he represents Islam wherever he goes if he is a Muslim. 2nd thing he is a brand ambassador of Pakistan. It doesn’t matter what anyone says,” Rizwan said in the presser.
“We’re brand ambassadors of Islam”: Rizwan pic.twitter.com/FKRUSeSanO
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) July 2, 2024
Shehzad lashed out at Rizwan over his comments and accused him of hiding behind religion to deflect the public’s attention from the Pakistan team’s poor show in the T20 World Cup 2024. Shehzad also slammed Rizwan over his hypocrisy by asking him which religion teaches players to lie about their fitness and do acting on the field.
“It is really disappointing that some players are hiding their poor performance in the World Cup by holding unnecessary press conferences and playing the religion card. Where does religion go when they lie about their fitness and when they admit they were acting on the field? Does religion teach you to deceive others and lie in the field? You are paid to perform on the field, and you join the grouping in the team instead. Religion teaches us to fulfil our responsibility with full determination and not to lie about our suffering. Some spokespeople for these players want them to be given another chance, but why? This is the Pakistan team, and it is not their home team where they can play. If they want another chance, they can make their own team and play with their friends, but not for the Pakistan cricket team anymore,” Shehzad wrote in Urdu in a lengthy post on X.
“We will not let PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi forget the big surgery he promised. Some players of the Pakistani team are now even mocking the chairman’s statement because they don’t care. But we will make sure that fans get their answers and action is taken against these players. We have taken a stand, and we will not back down until this Pakistan team is back on the right track,” he added.
یہ واقعی مایوس کن ہے کہ کچھ کھلاڑی غیر ضروری پریس کانفرنس کرکے اور مذہب کا کارڈ کھیل کر ورلڈ کپ میں اپنی خراب کارکردگی کو چھپا رہے ہیں۔ جب وہ اپنی فٹنس کے بارے میں جھوٹ بولتے ہیں اور جب وہ تسلیم کرتے ہیں کہ وہ میدان میں اداکاری کر رہے تھے تو مذہب کہاں جاتا ہے؟ کیا مذہب آپ کو…
— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) July 3, 2024
Not the first time for Rizwan
This is not the first time Rizwan has been slammed for bringing religion into the game. He was criticised heavily by many for offering Namaz on the ground while batting during Pakistan’s clash against India in the T20 World Cup 2021. Rizwan repeated his act during Pakistan’s clash against Netherlands during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India last year.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has promised action and a major overhaul after Pakistan’s disastrous campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024. However, no big changes have been announced yet. Amid pressure from fans and former cricketers, it remains to be seen what actions will PCB take to revive Pakistan cricket.
There have been reports of Babar Azam facing the axe after yet another disappointment for Pakistan in a World Cup. Babar was reinstated as captain ahead of the tournament but failed to inspire his team to success. He was initially sacked after Pakistan’s disastrous show in the 2023 ODI World Cup last year.
Former Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad launched a brutal attack at Pakistan batter Mohammad Rizwan for playing the ‘religion card’ after his recent comments on Islam in a press conference. Pakistan suffered a disappointing exit from the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2024. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
