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Ahmed Shehzad may face penalty from Pakistan Cricket Board over religious comment to Tillekaratne Dilshan

The PCB has stated that Shehzad breached his contract with the religious comments.

Ahmed Shehzad © AFP
Ahmed Shehzad (left) was heard passing religious comments towards Sri Lankan cricketer Tillekaratne Dilshan towards the end of the third ODI in Dambulla © AFP

Sep 5, 2014

Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad could face severe consequences for passing religious comments against Sri Lankan cricketer Tillekaratne Dilshan at the conclusion of the third game between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Dambulla on August 31.

According to inputs from the Associated Press, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board Shahryar Khan stated that Shehzad had breached his central contract which would invite action from the Board. The board has not constituted a three-member committee to investigate into the issue.

“Shehzad has breached the central contract in which it is clearly written that you will not involve in any religious or political discussion with others. There can be a disciplinary action against him,” the PCB chief was quoted as saying in Karachi.

Shehzad was quoted as saying to Dilshan,”if you are a non-Muslim and you turn Muslim, no matter whatever you do in your life, straight to heaven.” Dilshan’s reply was not audible enough, but Shehzad could be heard adding the words “then be ready for the fire.”

While an official complaint has not been lodged by Sri Lanka Cricket or the match officials over the issue, Shehzad apparently told the PCB officials that the chat was nothing more than a ‘personal discussion’.

“I don’t remember even what I said to him,” Dilshan was quoted as saying when asked about his views on the issue. “I have no issues at all. I was just quite happy with the win at the time.”

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