T20 World Cup 2024, India vs Pakistan: Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh lashed out at Kamran Akmal in a strongly-worded comment on social media. Harbhajan responded to the ex-Pakistan cricketer’s racist comment about Arshdeep Singh on live television. Akmal apologised for his remark later in the day.
World Cup-winning former India spinner Harbhajan Singh came up with a strongly-worded reaction to Kamran Akmal’s racist comments about Indian fast bowler Arshdeep Singh. Kamran has been facing flak for his distasteful remark about Arshdeep and his religion during the much-talked-about India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup game on Sunday, June 9 in New York.
Harbhajan Singh did not hold back as he tore into Kamran Akmal, calling the former Pakistan wicketkeeper’s comments ‘filthy’. Harbhajan’s outburst came after Kamran Akmal made an insensitive joke about Arshdeep and the Sikh community during his appearance on a live television show.
“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 youâ€æHave some Gratitude (sic),” Harbhajan Singh said in a social media post, hours after Pakistan were handed a 6-run defeat by Rohit Sharma and his men.
AKMAL APOLOGISES TO HARBHAJAN, SIKH COMMUNITY
Kamran Akmal penned a note of apology later in the day.
“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,” Akmal said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Before Harbhajan Singh lashed out at Kamran Akmal, the former Pakistan cricketer was facing flak for his comments. Akmal was even seen laughing to another insensitive comment from another panelist during the television show on Sunday.
Lakh di laanat tere Kamraan Akhmal.. 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 guys.. Have some Gratitude @KamiAkmal23 😡😡🤬 https://t.co/5gim7hOb6f
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 10, 2024
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
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) June 10, 2024
Despite a few former cricketers crossing the line on social media, the India vs Pakistan game was played in good spirits at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York.
India and Pakistan players flaunted their camaraderie before the start of the much-anticipated contest. In front of a packed house with 34,000 fans at Nassau County, Shaheen Afridi and Rishabh Pant walked into the ground after a high-five along the boundary rope. The two teams shook hands and shared embraces before they headed onto the field for the national anthems.