Published: Sep 08, 2013, 01:05 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 23, 2014, 10:19 PM (IST)
Fawad Ahmed’s request to sport a jersey sans the beer brand’s logo has been questioned by a few esteemed Australian sporting greats © Getty Images
Fawad Ahmed not sporting a beer company’s logo on his Australia jersey due to his religious beliefs has attracted the ire of a few Australian sporting greats who suggested that he shouldn’t be in the team if he didn’t want to don the jersey minus the beer logo. But, isn’t representing the country about wearing the colours rather than that of the sponsor? Nishad Pai Vaidya asks that pertinent question.
Fawad Ahmed’s rise to the highest level is a fascinating story. A man who faced death threats was forced to fly miles away from home and yet continued to pursue his passion in his adopted country. It came at a time when the great cricketing nation was looking for a tweaker to take on the mantle from a legend called ‘Shane Keith Warne’. Since Warne’s retirement, 13 spinners have been tried to take the lone tweaker’s spot in the team. Ahmed’s promise gave the nation some much needed hope. And, when the government handed him his citizenship, Australian’s cricketing fraternity pinned their hopes of the on his untested shoulders. Doesn’t it make a great story?
Although Ahmed’s tale has captured the attention of the cricket world, he needlessly finds himself at the centre of controversy — for no real fault of his own. Being a Muslim, he took permission to refrain from sporting their (Australian team) sponsor’s logo, which is a beer making company. Respecting his faith, Cricket Australia (CA) allowed him that. It is quite similar to South Africa’s Hashim Amla and Imran Tahir’s case case, who has donned the jersey without the sponsor’s logo throughout his playing career. An amicable and acceptable way you may think — respecting the sentiments of the players.
Yet, Ahmed’s move has been questioned by a few esteemed Australian sporting greats. Doug Walters, the former Australia batsman, went to the extent of saying that the leg-spinner shouldn’t be in the team if he doesn’t want to wear the jersey. Perhaps the most insensitive remarks from a public figure came from the former Australian rugby player David Campese. He supported Walters’ comments and even added that Ahmed should “go home.”
But, is a player picked on his faith or cricketing abilities? He is picked for taking wickets, to win matches for the country and to be team-player. Of course, Ahmed has been selected with a vision of getting the best out of his talent. The team and the board may have a commitment to their sponsors, but if player’s religious beliefs — which are personal — forbid him from sporting the logo, it has to be respected. As long as he is committed to the team’s success on the field of play, nothing should matter. How does it matter if he doesn’t wear the logo and wins you the matches?
Take the case of Amla. There may have been some talk about the logo issue when he walked into the international arena, but today he stands out as one of the best batsmen in the world. He has tirelessly served South Africa and is one of the biggest reasons why they are dominating the Test rankings. And through all that, everyone looks up to him because of his impeccable reputation and unquestionable values — one of which is his faith. Everyone respects that. Would anybody point a finger at him only because he wears a slightly different story? They dare not even suggest that he should be out of the team.
Ahmed is a tyro in international cricket and such criticism will only come till he establishes himself. What one has to consider is the difficulties he has faced to be where he is today. Coming from a former cricketer, the remarks were uncalled for and distasteful. If one has to talk about sporting the team gear, then it is about the jersey, with the board’s mark and the cap. That is what is symbolic of representing a nation not the sponsor’s mark on the clothing. Having played for Australia, Walters would know the value of the baggy green. Ahmed may not have worn that coveted cap yet, but he would cherish his one-day gear. That apparel remains with a player even when he decides to call it a day.
Sponsors will come and go, but the team’s colours stay on. That is what it is all about.
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_44)
