Former India cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin strongly objected to ex-England skipper Nasser Hussain's comparison of Indian cricketers to 'donkeys', saying that the Englishman must apologise to the team and the players for his comment.
Published: Sep 02, 2011, 05:20 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 02, 2011, 05:20 PM (IST)
Mohammad Azharuddin said there are many ways of commenting but calling players ‘donkey’ is unbecoming of a player of his stature © AFP
New Delhi: Sep 2, 2011
Former India cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin strongly objected to ex-England skipper Nasser Hussain’s comparison of Indian cricketers to ‘donkeys’, saying that the Englishman must apologise to the team and the players for his comment.
“He (Nasser) has been a captain. He should not have said so. He should tender apology. There are many ways of commenting but calling players ‘donkey’ is unbecoming of a player of his stature,” Azharuddin told reporters outside the Parliament on Friday.
Hussain’s comment came after Parthiv Patel misjudged a Kevin Pietersen’s catch off Munaf Patel’s bowling during the one-off Twenty20 International between India and England in Manchester on Wednesday.
“I would say the difference between the two side is the fielding. England are all-round a good fielding side. I do believe that India have few…3 or 4 very good fielders and one or two donkeys in the field still,” he had said.
Asked whether Hussain should be removed from the panel of commentators, the cricketer-turned-MP, Azharuddin said, “I do not know about that but he should definitely tender apology to the Indian team, especially to those fielders at that time.”
Hussain’s comment has already evoked criticism from BCCI and other former players.(PTI)
