Complaint Against Pakistan Wicketkeeper-Batsman Rizwan For Offering Namaz On Ground

Hyderabad: A Supreme Court advocate has complained to the International Cricket Council (ICC) against Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan for offering namaz on the ground during an ODI World Cup match in Hyderabad.

According to Jindal, Rizwan’s act of offering prayers in front of the spectators, predominantly Indians, is a display of his religious identity and impacts the spirit of sportsmanship.

The complaint refers to Pakistan’s opening match against The Netherlands at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here on October 6.

“The act of Mohammad Rizwan when he read namaz on the cricket field amid many Indians is symbolic of the intentional depiction of his religion which stands against the spirit of the sports,” Vineet Jindal wrote to ICC chairman Greg Barclay.

“The act of representation of his religion by Mohammad Rizwan in the field and further followed by his statement in his press conference regarding the dedication of his victory to the people of Gaza further attests to his religious and political ideology,” Jindal stated.

Calling for strict action against Rizwan, Jindal pointed out that this was not the first time Rizwan had offered prayers on the ground during a match. He had done it during a Pakistan versus India T20 World Cup match at Dubai two years ago.

Netizens criticised Rizwan for mixing cricket and religion after a video of him offering namaz on the ground went viral on social media.

“Mohammad Rizwan offered namaz during the #PAKvsNED match He is here to play #CricketWorldCup2023 or propagate his religion?” wrote one user.

“Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan offers namaz during drinks break of Pakistan vs Netherland’s match. He deliberately does this when there are Indians watching him,” another person commented.

On Sunday, Rizwan was heckled by fans during the India-Pakistan clash at Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad.

Some fans at the stadium raised chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ as Rizwan walked back to the pavilion after being dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah.