New Delhi: Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf, who received no leniency for his disparaging comments about Suryakumar Yadav, clarified that he did not intend to show disrespect to the captain of the India T20I team. Nevertheless, he criticized the Indian media for lauding former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan for his comments about Shahid Afridi, which he described as "barking like a dog," attempting to highlight a sense of hypocrisy.
The relationship between the two neighboring countries has reached a new low following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, where terrorists backed by Pakistan killed 26 tourists. In spite of the backlash and calls to boycott the India-Pakistan match at the Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday, the game proceeded and was mired in controversy.
After India outsmarted Pakistan and celebrated a 7-wicket victory, Suryakumar and his teammates sent a strong message by choosing not to adhere to the traditional practice of shaking hands with the opposing team. In response, Pakistan withdrew from the post-match presentation.
During a panel discussion on Samaa TV, Yousuf commented on the entire situation and made a derogatory remark about Suryakumar. While repeatedly referring to the Indian T20I captain as "Suarkumar," he accused India of manipulating umpires to suit their needs.
"India cannot escape their cinematic world. Their captain, Suarkumar Yadav," Yousuf stated during the live broadcast on Samaa TV, prompting the host to correct him, "It's Suryakumar Yadav." Yousuf persisted, "Yes, that's what I said, Suarkumar Yadav."
"Yes, that's what I said. Suarkumar Yadav," Yousuf reiterated, to which the host responded, "No, his name is Suryakumar Yadav."
Following his comments that gained widespread attention on Tuesday morning, he faced significant trolling and mockery from Indian fans and former cricketers. Later that evening, Yousuf took to X to clarify his position, but he also criticized the Indian media for the backlash he received. He referenced Pathan's remarks about former Pakistan captain Afridi while recalling an incident during an interview.
"I did not intend any disrespect towards any athlete who represents their country with passion and dignity, but why were the Indian media and public praising Irfan Pathan when he claimed that Shahid Khan Afridi was barking like a dog? Shouldn't that have been condemned by everyone who advocates for dignity and respect?" Yousuf posted on X.
Among the cricketers who responded, India's 1983 World Cup-winning captain Madan Lal was particularly blunt in his criticism. He believes that the recent statements made by the former Pakistan player are merely a ploy for publicity. He stated that Yousuf's insensitive remarks reflect his level of education.
"Look, you must have noticed how former Pakistani cricketers often criticize their own team. Their frustration is evident. They have begun to insult players from the opposing team. This demonstrates their level of education. Insulting anyone is inappropriate. I think we are unnecessarily giving them attention. This is what they seek: publicity. All the YouTubers discuss India to gain views. This is their ethical stance. The more harshly we speak about India, the more they benefit," Madan Lal told ANI.
In addition to his comments on Suryakumar, Yousuf accused India of manipulating umpires to suit their needs. The 74-year-old asserted that Yousuf's comments regarding the umpires are unfounded, especially given that modern DRS technology can highlight any issues. The review eliminated the remaining uncertainties, which was evident in several on-field decisions that were overturned during the intense rivalry match.
"The umpires find it quite straightforward. The DRS system is operational. Even if a player is dismissed, he has the option to appeal to the third umpire. This has been a common practice. A couple of his calls have been incorrect. These decisions were reviewed, and he was ruled not out. So, why should there be any complaints? In today's game, complaints are unwarranted because technology is in play. They rely on technology, and the outcomes are clear. However, it is important to discern which DRS appeals to make and which to forgo," he stated.
The dispute over the handshake intensified when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) filed a complaint against match referee Andy Pycroft, alleging he breached the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC regulations concerning the spirit of cricket. Pakistan has also warned of withdrawing from the tournament if a favorable decision is not reached.
In light of the growing tensions, Pakistan has cancelled their pre-match press conference ahead of the match against the UAE in Dubai on Wednesday. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced this update on Tuesday evening.
Despite the cancellation of the press conference, Pakistan will still conduct their practice session. The decision to cancel is directly related to their dissatisfaction with ICC match referee Andy Pycroft, whom the PCB has requested be dismissed.
