Former cricketer Ijaz Ahmed is facing severe backlash for his racially insensitive remarks targeting the Pashtun community during a live TV show. His comments implied that the influx of players from remote areas, particularly from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, has contributed to the Pakistan cricket team’s poor performance. Ahmed specifically mentioned that 80 percent of cricket in Pakistan is now centered around these areas, and noted that the Sindh team includes six to eight Pashtun players. He further suggested that these players lack education and exposure, stating, “They wake up in the morning and go for prayers with their fathers and return home.” Ahmed claimed that such players struggle to perform under pressure.
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The reaction to Ahmed’s comments has been swift and overwhelmingly negative. Fans and the public took to social media to condemn his statements as racist and unfounded. A social media user criticized the TV program’s anchor for not challenging Ahmed’s remarks, calling it “blatant racism on TV.” Another fan highlighted the significant contributions of Pashtuns to Pakistan, mentioning notable figures such as Dr. AQ Khan, Imran Khan, Younis Khan, Jahangir Khan, Fakhar Zaman, and Yasir Shah, and expressed disappointment over Ahmed’s offensive generalization.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about ethnic prejudice in sports and the importance of diversity and inclusion within the cricketing community. The criticism of Ahmed’s comments underscores a collective demand for respect and recognition of all players’ contributions, regardless of their background.
