Former Pakistan stumper Kamran Akmal stunned one and all with his insensitive comments on India pacer Arshdeep Singh’s religion during Rohit Sharma-led Men in Blue’s clash versus Pakistan in the T20 World Cup on Sunday (June 9) in New York. Ahead of the last over, eventually bowled by Arshdeep, Kamran told on a live TV show, on ARY News, (a Pakistani news channel), “Kuch bhi ho sakta hai… Dekhe last over karna Arshdeep Singh ne hai. Waise uska rhythm nahi laga. 12 baj gaye hai (Anything can happen. The last over will be bowled by Arshdeep, who hasn’t looked in a great rhythm. And It is already 12).” The veteran’s racist joke wasn’t well received by a large section. On Monday (June 10), ex-Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh lashed out at Kamran for his comments on the Sikh community. Thus, the 42-year-old took to his official account on X, formerly Twitter, to issue an apology to Harbhajan and the Sikhs.
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Kamran wrote, on Tuesday (June 11), “I deeply regret my recent comments and sincerely apologize to @harbhajan_singh and the Sikh community. My words were inappropriate and disrespectful. I have the utmost respect for Sikhs all over the world and never intended to hurt anyone. I am truly sorry. #Respect #Apology”
Earlier, Harbhajan wrote on X, “Lakh di laanat tere Kamraan Akhmal (Shame on you Kamran Akmal).You should know the history of sikhs before u open ur filthy mouth.”
“We Sikhs saved ur mothers and sisters when they were abducted by invaders, the time invariably was 12 o’clock . Shame on you…Have some Gratitude @KamiAkmal23,” he added.
Talking about the Indo-Pak clash, Rohit-led India were asked to bat first and were bundled out for 119 in 19 overs, with Mohammad Amir, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah taking three wickets apiece. In reply, Jasprit Bumrah’s 3 for 14, Hardik Pandya’s 2 for 24 and Arshdeep’s 1 for 31 propelled India to a narrow six-run win, at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, as Babar Azam-led Men in Green only managed 113/7.
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