Harsha Bhogle and former cricketers slam Waqar Younis for his 'namaz' remark, pacer tenders apology

Mohammad Rizwan performed his namaz during a break in the Indian innings in the T20 World Cup encounter between India and Pakistan that took place on 24th October 2021.

And, Waqar Younis’ statements on Rizwan performing his namaz has hogged the limelight in the world of cricket. Younis stated that Rizwan performing his namaz in front of the Hindus was special.

“The best thing, what Rizwan did, Mashalla, he offered the Namaz on the ground surrounded by Hindus, that was really something very special for me,” said Waqar Younis.

You can watch the video of the same below

"Rizwan offered Namaz during #INDvPAK match in middle of Hindus was most satisfying thing Mashallah, even more than his batting"

– Waqar Younis & Shoaib Akhtar discusspic.twitter.com/ELTVJSTqh4

— Pakistan Untold (@pakistan_untold) October 26, 2021

Waqar Younis slammed for his ‘Namaz’ remark

And now, Waqar Younis has been lambasted for his remarks. Celebrated cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle stated that hearing Younis terming Rizwan’s act ‘special’ is extremely disappointing.

Bhogle also added that cricketers are the ambassadors of the game and they should behave in a more responsible manner. Apart from Harsha Bhogle, Venkatesh Prasad also slammed Younis for his namaz remark.

Prasad termed Younis as a ‘shameful man’ and added that the former Pakistan cricketer has taken jihad to another level. Aakash Chopra too, was not happy with Younis’ remarks as well.  You can see the reactions of commentators and cricketers to Younis’ remarks below.

For a person of Waqar Younis' stature to say that watching Rizwan offering namaz in front of Hindus was very special to him, is one of the most disappointing things I have heard. A lot of us try hard to play such things down and talk up sport and to hear this is terrible.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 26, 2021

You would think that cricketers, as ambassadors of our game, would be a little more responsible. I am sure there will be an apology on the way from Waqar. We need to unite the cricket world, not divide it by religion

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 26, 2021

"Hinduon ke beech me khade hoke namaaz padi, that was very very special for me" – Waqar .
Takes jihadi mindset of another level to say this in a sport. What a shameful man.

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) October 26, 2021

Et tu, Waqar! 🤦

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 26, 2021

Waqar Younis has now tendered his apology for his controversial remark on television. The 49-year-old tweeted that he had committed a genuine mistake, and added that sport unites people irrespective of race and religion.

“In the heat of the moment, I said something which I did not mean which has hurt the sentiments of many. I apologise for this, this was not intended at all, genuine mistake. Sports unites people regardless of race, colour or religion,” tweeted Waqar Younis.

You can see the tweet from Waqar Younis below

In the heat of the moment, I said something which I did not mean which has hurt the sentiments of many. I apologise for this, this was not intended at all, genuine mistake. Sports unites people regardless of race, colour or religion. #apologies 🙏🏻

— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) October 26, 2021

Waqar Younis is one of the greatest bowlers to have ever played for Pakistan. The legendary right-arm pacer represented the Pakistan side in 87 Tests and 262 ODI matches. While he scalped 373 wickets in the whites, Younis also prized out 416 batsmen in the ODI format of the game as well.