When former Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal made a racial remark about current Team India player Arshdeep Singh, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh was not putting up with it. Akmal joked racial ‘Sikh’ insults at Arshdeep during India vs. Pakistan during the tense T20 World Cup 2024 match in New York. The video went viral on social media. The spinner moved to social media when Harbhajan saw the video and began to criticize the former Pakistani wicket-keeper batsman while also imparting some historical knowledge. Afterward, Akmal expressed regret.
Akmal came on an ARY News panel in a video that Harbhajan shared. In a contentious statement on the faith of Arshdeep Singh, he said during the program “Kuch bhi ho sakta hai… 12 baj gaye hai (Anything can happen. It is already 12).”
Harbhajan took exception with his comments and chastised Kamran for his treatment of Arshdeep Singh, writing on X, “Lakh di laanat tere Kamraan Akhmal. Before you open your dirty mouth, you should be aware of the history of the Sikh people. It was always at twelve o’clock when your moms and sisters were kidnapped by invaders and we Sikhs rescued them. Disgrace to you…Be grateful for something.”
Akmal expressed his sincere regret for the remark made and apologized to Harbhajan and the Sikh community. “I humbly apologize to @harbhajan_singh and the Sikh community for my recent remarks, which I greatly regret. My remarks were impolite and unsuitable. I never meant to hurt anyone, and I have the deepest regard for Sikhs everywhere. I sincerely apologize.”
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
When the game began, Pakistan won the toss and chose to put India in to bat. On this difficult surface, though, the Indian hitters were unable to get things going as star openers Rohit Sharma (13) and Virat Kohli (4) failed to register significant runs. It was as though Rishabh Pant (42 in 31 balls, six fours) was playing on a different surface.
He formed productive partnerships with Suryakumar Yadav (seven in eight balls, with a four) and Axar Patel (20 in 18 balls, with two fours and a six). India could only manage 119 in 19 overs as the lower middle order collapsed under the burden of needing to score runs on such a difficult wicket.
The two best bowlers for Pakistan were Naseem Shah (3/21) and Haris Rauf (3/21). Mohammed Amir got two scalps while Shaheen Shah Afridi got one.
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
Pakistan used a more methodical approach throughout the run-chase, and Mohammed Rizwan (31 in 44 balls, with a four and a six) kept one end steady. The pressure on Pakistan was maintained, though, as Bumrah (3/14) and Hardik Pandya (2/24) claimed important wickets of skipper Babar Azam (13), Fakhar Zaman (13), Shadab Khan (4), and Iftikhar Ahmed (5). Naseem Shah (10*) attempted to win it for Pakistan with 18 runs needed in the last over, but Arshdeep Singh (1/31) ensured Pakistan lost by six runs.
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