Abdul Razzaq issues public apology after controversial remark on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

mangaloretoday.com

New Delhi, Nov 15, 2023: Former Pakistani cricketer Abdul Razzaq has issued a public apology following his controversial remarks about Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. During a recent event, Razzaq made an inappropriate comment that sparked outrage on social media and among fellow cricketers.

 

The incident occurred when Razzaq was addressing the media about the Pakistan cricket team’s performance and coaching strategies.

In an attempt to make a point about intentions in cricket coaching, Razzaq mentioned Aishwarya Rai in a metaphor that was widely perceived as disrespectful. The comment quickly went viral, leading to severe backlash from the public and condemnation from other cricketers.

In response to the uproar, Razzaq appeared on Samaa TV to address the situation. He stated, “Yesterday, we were talking about cricket coaching and intentions. I had a slip of tongue and mistakenly took Aishwarya Rai’s name. I apologise to her personally. I did not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiment.”

This statement was part of Razzaq’s effort to clarify his intentions and express regret for any offense caused by his earlier remark.

The apology comes after several former teammates and prominent figures in the cricket community voiced their disapproval of Razzaq’s comments.

Shoaib Akhtar, known for his fast bowling, was one of the first to denounce the remarks, stating on social media, "No woman should be disrespected like this." Shahid Afridi, who was present at the event and initially seen clapping, later clarified that he did not hear Razzaq’s comment at the time and expressed his intention to ask Razzaq to apologize publicly.

Razzaq’s apology is seen as a necessary step to mitigate the damage caused by his words and to uphold the respect due to individuals regardless of their profession or status. The cricket community and fans alike hope that such incidents will serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining decorum and respect in all forms of public discourse.

Courtesy: India Today