Kamran Akmal Issues Apology for Offensive Religious Comment on Arshdeep Following Harbhajan Singh's Criticism

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal received criticism for remarks made on a TV show during the India vs. Pakistan match. Akmal made insensitive comments about Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh's religion, prompting Harbhajan Singh to intervene before Akmal apologized following pressure from the former Pakistan cricketer.

P24 News Media

June 11, 2024

1 minute

191

Sports

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has issued an apology for his controversial comment directed at Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh during a live TV broadcast of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 match between India and Pakistan. Akmal faced backlash for his remarks, particularly after former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh condemned him on social media for offending Sikh sentiments. Acknowledging his mistake, Akmal admitted to being disrespectful and inappropriate in his choice of words.

In a Twitter post, Akmal expressed regret and extended his apologies to Harbhajan Singh and the Sikh community, emphasizing his deep respect for Sikhs worldwide and clarifying that his intention was never to cause harm. The apology was accompanied by the hashtags #Respect and #Apology, with Akmal tagging the former Indian cricketer in his message.

During the 19th over of the match, Akmal, appearing on ARY News, made a controversial remark suggesting uncertainty over the outcome of the game, with a reference to the historical Nasir Shah invasion of India. This remark sparked criticism on social media, prompting Harbhajan Singh to respond by reminding Akmal of Sikh history and urging him to show gratitude.

Arshdeep, who had played a crucial role in the match by taking a crucial catch in the 19th over and defending 18 runs in the final over, helped secure victory for India. His performance showcased his bowling prowess, particularly in the death overs, reaffirming his value to the Indian team in the ongoing T20 World Cup.