Veteran Pakistani seamer Shoaib Akhtar on Sunday slammed an Indian news anchor during a debate on a Television show before the clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan.
The incident took place during a live TV debate when the news anchor compared Pakistan’s eight wickets loss to India in Group stage with the Swachh Bharat Mission.
“In India, the second edition of Swachhta Mission has just started. And it seems to me that Indian team has taken it very seriously as they thrashed Pakistan just 100 hours ago. Are your players ready to get thrashed once again?” the anchor asked Shoaib Akhtar.
After hearing the question, a furious Shoaib Akhtar asked the anchor to limit her questions to cricket only. “See, I don’t know what is your name. But I respect you. And if you ask me questions with respect, then only will I answer you. If you talk about ‘thrashing’ and ‘dhulaai‘ and ‘Swachhta‘, then I will not. Ask me questions on cricket, I will talk about cricket. I request you to talk about cricket. As of now, I cannot understand your language,” retorted a visibly livid Shoaib Akhtar.
The 43-year-old further reminded the anchor that she is talking to a former international cricketer and not a local club cricketer. “I am not some local cricketer to who you can speak in such a manner – ‘dhulaai ho rahi hai‘, ‘pitaai ho rahi hai‘, ‘maar denge‘, ‘pichhad denge‘, please do not talk in such a way. Talk to me about cricket, and try and understand who is sitting in front of you,” Shoaib Akhtar added.
Rohit Sharma-led Team India defeated Pakistan by nine wickets on Sunday to confirm their spot in the final of the Asia Cup 2018. Meanwhile, Sarfraz Ahmed-led Pakistan cricket team was eliminated from the tournament as they lost to Bangladesh on Wednesday.