Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh recently found himself in the midst of a heated controversy after a racist comment was made by former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal about current Indian cricketer Arshdeep Singh. The incident occurred during a tense T20 World Cup 2024 match between India and Pakistan in New York. Akmal’s comment, a derogatory joke about Arshdeep’s Sikh heritage, quickly spread across social media, sparking widespread outrage.
As the video of Akmal’s remarks gained traction, Harbhajan Singh took to social media to express his anger and disappointment. He didn’t hold back in condemning Akmal’s offensive comments and used the opportunity to educate him on the significant historical contributions of the Sikh community.
In his post, Harbhajan rebuked Kamran Akmal, saying, “Lakh di laanat tere Kamraan Akhmal.. You should know the history of Sikhs before you open your filthy mouth. We Sikhs saved your mothers and sisters when they were abducted by invaders, the time invariably was 12 o’clock. Shame on you…Have some Gratitude.”
I deeply regret my recent comments and sincerely apologize to @harbhajan_singh and the Sikh community. My words were inappropriate and disrespectful. I have the utmost respect for Sikhs all over the world and never intended to hurt anyone. I am truly sorry. #Respect #Apology
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) June 10, 2024
The backlash prompted Kamran Akmal to issue a public apology. In his statement, he expressed deep regret and extended his apologies to Harbhajan Singh and the Sikh community at large. Akmal acknowledged that his comments were inappropriate and disrespectful, and emphasized his respect for Sikhs worldwide, clarifying that he never intended to hurt anyone.
Lakh di laanat tere Kamraan Akhmal.. You should know the history of sikhs before u open ur filthy mouth. We Sikhs saved ur mothers and sisters when they were abducted by invaders, the time invariably was 12 o’clock . Shame on you guys.. Have some Gratitude @KamiAkmal23 😡😡🤬 https://t.co/5gim7hOb6f
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 10, 2024
Turning to the match itself, it was an intense affair. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first. The Indian batting lineup struggled on the challenging pitch, with star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma falling cheaply for 4 and 13 runs, respectively. Despite the early setbacks, Rishabh Pant managed to anchor the innings with a solid performance, scoring 42 runs off 31 balls, including six boundaries. He received some support from Axar Patel, who contributed 20 runs, and Suryakumar Yadav, who added 7 runs.
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However, the lower middle order could not withstand the pressure, and India ended their innings at 119 for 9 in 19 overs. Pakistan’s bowling was led by an impressive performance from Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, both of whom took three wickets each, conceding 21 runs. Mohammed Amir chipped in with two wickets, while Shaheen Shah Afridi secured one.
In response, Pakistan adopted a cautious approach to their chase. Mohammed Rizwan played a steady innings, scoring 31 runs off 44 balls, but the Indian bowlers kept the pressure on. Jasprit Bumrah’s outstanding bowling, which earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ title, saw him take three crucial wickets for just 14 runs.
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Hardik Pandya also played a key role, claiming two wickets for 24 runs. Despite a valiant effort by Naseem Shah, who remained unbeaten on 10 runs, Pakistan fell short by six runs, concluding a thrilling match with India emerging victorious. The match underscored the intense rivalry between India and Pakistan in cricket, and while the on-field action was gripping, the off-field controversy added an extra layer of drama to the encounter.
