Cricket

Sanjay Manjrekar's Controversial Remark Sparks OutrageFormer Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has ignited a firestorm of controversy with his recent comment during live commentary on the India vs New Zealand Women's T20 World Cup match. While discussing the Indian women's cricket team's coaching unit, Manjrekar admitted that he lacks in-depth knowledge about players from North India."Sorry, I could not recognize him. North ke players ki taraf mera zyada dhyaan nahi hota (I don't pay much attention to the players from North India)," Manjrekar said on-air.The comment has drawn widespread condemnation on social media, with many accusing Manjrekar of bias and discrimination. Social media users have expressed outrage, calling for Manjrekar to be banned from commentary."I've no interest in North Indian Cricketers," one user tweeted. "Why so much hate?"Another user wrote, "I don't have interest in North Indian cricketers. Sanjay Manjrekar @ICC @BCCI how can you allow such a racist person in the commentary panel? Put a ban on him."The controversy has also raised questions about the representation of North Indian players in Indian cricket. Some have argued that Manjrekar's comment reflects a larger issue of regionalism and bias within the sport."Mumbai Lobby is a real thing!!" one user tweeted. "Sanjay Manjrekar said, 'I don't pay much attention to players from the North.'"In response to the backlash, Manjrekar has apologized for his remarks. However, the damage has been done, and the controversy is likely to continue.

Cricket Scotland faces yet another legal challenge as Hamza Tahir, a 28-year-old left-arm spinner, announces his retirement from international cricket, citing allegations of racism and discrimination within the organization. Tahir's retirement statement reveals a pattern of systemic bias against players of color, including himself.Tahir, who has represented Scotland in 48 matches, claims that a fellow South Asian player informed him that to succeed in the Scotland set-up, "you have to perform twice as well." Despite his impressive record, including 63 wickets, Tahir was excluded from the squad for the recent T20 World Cup and removed from Cricket Scotland's list of contracted players in March.Tahir's grievances extend beyond his own experiences. He alleges that a senior coach used racial slurs during a national tour in 2020. He also highlights the lack of opportunities for players of color in major international events, stating that he felt "held back" and prevented from showcasing his abilities on the world stage.Tahir's retirement comes amidst ongoing turmoil at Cricket Scotland. Two years ago, an independent review found the organization to be institutionally racist, prompting the resignation of the entire board. Despite the "Changing the Boundaries" report identifying 448 instances of racism and discrimination, only five have progressed to disciplinary procedures.Cricket Scotland has been embroiled in a recent dispute with another former player, John Blain, who claims he was exonerated of racist behavior allegations but later accused the board of attempting to revise history.In response to Tahir's retirement, Cricket Scotland expressed sympathy for those who have experienced discrimination and thanked him for his contributions to the national team. However, the organization emphasized the need for independent mediation to achieve reconciliation and heal the wounds caused by ongoing instability and recrimination.

Former Pakistan cricketer Ijaz Ahmed has sparked controversy with his derogatory remarks about the Pashtun community in Pakistan. During a discussion on Pakistan cricket on ARY News, Ahmed made disparaging comments about the education and work ethic of Pashtun players."Look at the [Pakistan] cricket team now, 80% of it has gone to remote areas like KP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). If you select a team right now, 6-8 players are Pathans, who do not have education. They wake up in the morning to go for namaz with their relatives or brothers and return back, and then they don't leave their homes after that. When there is pressure on them [during matches], they cannot handle it," Ahmed said.Ahmed's comments drew swift condemnation from the Pakistan cricket community. Salman Iqbal, founder and CEO of ARY DIGITAL Network, distanced himself from the remark, stating that it was not acceptable by ARY management. Former Pakistan player Junaid Khan also called for Ahmed to apologize.The social media was full of other strong reaction too. Many users condemned Ahmed's comments as racist and discriminatory. Some users also pointed out that Ahmed's comments were particularly insensitive given Pakistan's recent defeat against India in the T20 World Cup.Ahmed's comments have sparked a wider debate about ethnic discrimination in Pakistan. Some commentators have argued that Ahmed's comments reflect a deep-seated prejudice against Pashtuns in Pakistani society. Others have argued that Ahmed's comments were simply a reflection of his personal views and do not represent the views of the majority of Pakistanis.Regardless of Ahmed's intentions, his comments have caused significant harm to the Pashtun community in Pakistan. They have also damaged the reputation of Pakistan cricket and raised questions about the country's commitment to diversity and inclusion.