Controversial remarks of Ijaz Ahmed about Pashtuns created controversy

Former Pakistani cricketer Ijaz Ahmed passed controversial remarks against Pashtun players in the National Cricket Team, creating widespread debate. He blamed the Pashtun players of the Pakistani Cricket Team for bad performance and the team’s shortcomings.

His controversial remarks came when he gave an interview to the ARY news program “Off the Record” while discussing the poor performance of Pakistani cricketers in the India vs Pak match in the T-20 World Cup 2024. He criticized the inclusion of Pashtun players in the team.

Racist and pathetic.. Shame on Ijaz Ahmed https://t.co/3PYyQDp0I6
— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) June 10, 2024

Ijaz claimed that the lack of exposure and educational background of Pashtun players negatively impacted the teams’ performance. This claim has drawn severe criticism due to discrimination and biasedness against Pashtuns.

Pakistani public, including journalists and public figures, have strongly criticized the controversial remarks of Ijaz Ahmed about Pashtun players on social media.

Journalist Zubair Ali Khan highlighted the skill abundance of Pashtun regions in football and cricket. He also mentioned the determination and contributions of the Pashtun people in the face of adversity.

نہ صرف کرکٹ بلکہ فٹبال کا بھی جتنا ٹیلنٹ پشتون بلٹ میں ہے وہ کہیں نہیں۔۔۔ اس کی وجہ سخت جان ہونا ہے کوئی بھی کھیل ہو فٹنس سب سے بنیادی چیز ہے اور یہی وجہ ہے کہ جب سے 6 رجنز کی کرکٹ متعارف ہوئی، فاٹا اور کے پی کے کھلاڑی ٹیم میں آئے https://t.co/UE6UdmBsbm
— Zubair Ali Khan (@ZubairAlikhanUN) June 10, 2024

Pakistani Pashtun cricketer Junaid Khan demanded an apology from Ijaz Ahmed on behalf of the entire community for his derogatory remarks. He also said he would like to bring to his notice that all Pashtoons performed in the Pak vs India match.

Ijaz bhai ko chahye kay pehlay Saray pakhtoonu se muafi mangay
aur uske bad my yad dilana chahta ho, kay kal match my Jo performances thay o saray pakhtunoo kay thay, Aur Haa Pakistan jithnay World Cup jethay hai, us time team kay captains pakhtoon thay https://t.co/xzzgjwz5rO
— Junaid khan (@JunaidkhanREAL) June 10, 2024

Moreover, Junaid Akbar, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) National Assembly member condemned Ijaz Ahmed. He harshly responded to Ijaz Ahmed for his remarks.

Junaid also questioned the practice of evaluating the athlete’s accomplishments based on their ethnic background. He also called for an immediate end to such discriminatory practices in sports.

آج اے آر وائی میں کاشف عباسی کے پروگرام میں سابق کرکٹر آعجاز احمد جو ایک داغدار ماضی کا مالک ہے انھوں نے پاکستانی ٹیم کی کارکردگی پر متعصبانہ بات کی کہ ٹیم میں 6 پختون ہیں جو صبح نماز پڑھنے ہیں جن کو نہ سمجھ ہے اور نہ پڑھے لکھے ہیں کسی بھی کھلاڑی کی کارکردگی قومیت سے جانجے کی…
— Junaid Akbar (@JunaidAkbarMNA) June 10, 2024

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Mr. Junaid also demanded authorities confront and stop racial discrimination in sports effectively. He described it as part of a larger call for respect and dignity in sports.

However, these objectionable and condemnable remarks came after the consecutive loss of the Pakistan Cricket Team in the T-20 World Cup 2024 tournament. In the most recent match, Pakistan lost to India by 6 runs.

Pakistan won the toss and chose India to bat first. Hence, India made 119 runs in the first innings of the match. However, Pakistan failed to chase this target and could make only 113 runs.