Published: Mar 04, 2015, 07:05 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 04, 2015, 07:05 AM (IST)
Former fast bowler turned cricket analyst Shoaib Akhtar’s mocking remarks of the state of affairs in Pakistan cricket on Indian comedy show ‘Comedy Nights with Kapil’, evoked angry reactions from ex-Pakistan players and officials. (ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Full coverage)
Akhtar appeared on the show with Indian off-spin bowler Harbhajan Singh and some of his remarks were directed towards former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) head Ijaz Butt.
As reported by NDTV sports, former fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz said, “I don’t know why he was so critical about Pakistan cricket on an Indian channel because I know that he is a patriotic Pakistani when he played for the national team.”
The comedy show, which is equally popular in Pakistan, got high viewership in the country because of Akhtar-Harbhajan presence.
A PCB official was quoted as saying, “It is unfortunate that our former players behave like this while in a foreign country. What has Akhtar achieved by demeaning our cricket system and officials like this? Was it his way of trying to become popular in India. The way he made fun of former Chairman and Test player, Ijaz Butt is disappointing. He is a senior player and he has served Pakistan cricket for long. We don’t expect such behaviour from him.”
When Butt was contacted, Butt said he didn’t watch the show and mentioned that Akhtar’s comments didn’t make any difference to him.
“I don’t bother about such things. Like everyone else I also wanted to see Pakistan cricket move ahead,” said Butt.
Akhtar, who found himself amidst several controversies throughout his career had earlier made disrespectful remarks on Pakistan’s current captain Misbah-ul-Haq, calling him “coward” and “selfish”.
