'If Pakistan can’t honour cricketers like Nida Dar, please send them to India' - Twitter slams Abdul Razzaq for his sexist remarks

Sexism is a very sensitive issue. And, one of the important members of the Pakistan Women’s cricket team, Nida Dar has been at the receiving end of sexism.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq had stated in a video on Neo News last month that Dar aspires to come to the level of the men cricketers. Razzaq added that Dar believes that men are not the only ones who can do everything, and even women are equally competent.

The 41-year-old Razzaq had even gone to extent of stating that when somebody shakes hands with Dar, they will not even feel that she is a girl.

“She aspires to come to the level of the men’s cricket team and believes that men aren’t the only one’s who can do everything, women can do these things as well. That’s why the feeling is gone. Shake her hands and you wont even feel she’s a girl,” said Razzaq.

Nida Dar offers a calm and dignified response to Abdul Razzaq

When asked to respond to the comments made by Abdul Razzaq, Dar did so with a sense of calm. She reasoned that a woman cricketer does batting, bowling, and fielding, and over the course of time, their bodies become hard. Dar also stated that if she had not chosen to play cricket she would have surely been a professional in another sport.

“Our profession is such that we have to do batting, bowling and every other thing [that the sport requires] which needs fitness, so yes your body does become hard. If I hadn’t been a cricketer, I would have definitely been a [sports] professional of some sort,” said Dar in an interview.

Pakistan cricketing legend Shahid Afridi had also mentioned in his Autobiography that for religious reasons, he does not allow his daughter to compete in sports.

“It’s for social and religious reasons that I’ve made this decision regarding my daughters not competing in public sporting activities and their mother agrees with me,” wrote Afridi in his book, Game Changer.

And, Razzaq’s comments have not gone down well with social media. One user questioned how Razzaq can make fun of a woman, while another user tweeted that Razzaq had shamed Dar based on stereotypes. Yet another user labeled Dar as one of the finest Pakistan cricketers. Another fan even stated that Pakistan does not deserve trailblazers like Dar playing for them. Another fan even tweeted that if Pakistan cannot honour women cricketers, they should be sent to India.

Here are some of the reactions regarding Abdul Razzaq’s comments on Nida Dar

Shameful ridicule of a young cricket player by Abdul Razzaq. When you have played for the national team & have some level of respect, you should use that to encourage young cricketers, especially women, instead of shaming them based on gender stereotypes.pic.twitter.com/CtemldIcNb

— Usama Khilji (@UsamaKhilji) July 14, 2021

Nida Dar should have slammed these people right there. The saddest part is lady in pink was just as complicit as others. Who gives Razzak the right to make fun of a junior just because she's a woman? Imagine what would have been the reaction if it was the other way around. https://t.co/muLKpD6kZy

— Ariba Jalbani (@AribaJB) July 15, 2021

Nida Dar is one of Pakistan's finest cricketers. Abdul Razzaq and these others gang up to try to reduce her to marriage, hairstyles and femininity. Shows that women can be national heroes but will still be measured up against traditional societal expectations and gender roles. https://t.co/iX9eKiNQdI

— Shiza Malik (@Shiza__Malik) July 15, 2021

Abdul Razzaq telling Nida Dar she looks manly is exactly the reason why I have grown up with body image issues. I have severe trauma from body shaming and these cheap people are the reason why we are still in that frame of mind and get conscious. Atleast I do. He should apologis

— Sehr Rushmeen (@rushmeentweets) July 14, 2021

Way to go Nida dar 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/TQY7Cte7g2

— madeha naqvi (@madehanaqvi) July 15, 2021

Former Pak cricketer Abdul Razzak made some really sh***y remarks on pak woman cricketer Nida Dar on some show 🤮 n people on d show laughed at his comments which were like "shadi nhi hoti inki n hath laga kar dekh le ladki bhi nhi lagti ab ye" shame on him

— Deeksha (@Deeksha45015326) July 15, 2021

Nida Dar is the first Pakistani female cricketer to take 100 wickets in T20Is. The way all people here attacking her is so disturbing. More power to Nida Dar! She managed to remain calm and composed. pic.twitter.com/UrVp0FAuBy

— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) July 15, 2021

Unfortunate that a cricketer of Nida Dar’s status is ridiculed so blatantly on TV screen. If Pakistan can’t honour cricketers like her please send them to India.

— Ashutosh Deshmukh (@ashutoshdesh) July 15, 2021

I find this assault sick I’m sorry Nida Dar. You do you! This country doesn’t deserve trailblazers like you.. https://t.co/LD9Cuz5Ynd

— Desi Typowala (@hamzamjad) July 15, 2021

In 2016, I went to see Pakistan's women's team play England in Chelmsford. Nida Dar played so well young England supporters were lining up for her autograph.
This month she made the record for the highest T20 wickets among men or women, and we are shaming her for her hairstyle? pic.twitter.com/sxKR6lBuwN

— Shiza Malik (@Shiza__Malik) July 15, 2021

Razzaq is making fun of Nida Dar for looking manly 🤭 pic.twitter.com/ECPBgGdBsp

— Ghumman (@emclub77) July 14, 2021

Sorry #nidadar we don’t deserve a cool person like you!

— tea time (@mwantschai) July 14, 2021