New Delhi: Former Australian opening batsman Matthew Hayden has found himself in the midst of controversy due to recent comments made during a commentary session. On October 3, during a warm-up cricket match, Hayden and Ramiz Raja sparked a debate by bringing their religious beliefs into the conversation, overshadowing the unifying spirit of sports.
The incident occurred during the warm-up match between Australia and Pakistan at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. While commentating, Ramiz Raja asked Hayden about his experiences working with the Pakistan cricket team.
Why is this Commentary between Ramiz Raja and Mathew Hayden openly promoting & glorifying IsIam being allowed??? This is a Cricket World Cup Match not some Religious gathering that such sermons be given pic.twitter.com/U7C3urJQZ6
— Rosy (@rose_k01) October 4, 2023
During the commentary, Hayden praised the Pakistani cricket team for their strong commitment to Islam, asserting that it had instilled discipline within the team. He went on to emphasize that the Islamic way of life promotes discipline. It’s worth noting that Matthew Hayden served as the coach of the Pakistan cricket team during the T20 World Cup in 2021 and 2022.
-Ramiz Raza and Matthew Hayden promoting Islam during warm up match of world cup
-Hayden was Batting consultant of Pakistan team during 2022 T20 World Cup
-Both are promoting personal religious beliefs in commentary funded by ICC which is eventually funded by BCCI
-Hopefully… pic.twitter.com/stxjPJkf4L— BALA (@rightarmleftist) October 4, 2023
Hayden’s connection to Islam became a topic of interest when he disclosed that Pakistani cricketer Muhammad Rizwan had gifted him an English version of the Quran back in November 2021. In an interview with News Corp Australia, Hayden expressed his curiosity about Islam, and when Rizwan learned of his interest, he presented him with an English translation of the Holy Quran. Hayden described the moment as beautiful and unforgettable, noting that he and Rizwan had engaged in extensive discussions about Islam and its beliefs. He also mentioned that he now reads the Quran daily as part of his exploration of the religion.
Is This Becoming a Platform for Religious Discussions in Cricket Commentary?
Consider this question: Can anyone freely discuss Hindus in a similar manner during a televised cricket commentary? The unequivocal answer is likely a resounding “no.” This concern arises from an incident involving former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, who made a lighthearted remark about Islamic dietary restrictions on pork during a commentary session in 2015. Sehwag humorously stated that he wouldn’t consume pork even if offered a crore (10 million rupees) for it. Regrettably, some individuals interpreted this as disrespectful to Islam. In response, Sehwag issued an apology, clarifying that he hadn’t intended to offend anyone.
It’s essential to correctly interpret the statement above: Sehwag felt compelled to apologize. This isn’t the first instance of such comments, and we will share more examples shortly. Before doing so, we would like to draw your attention to a video in which a Pakistani cricketer is heard making remarks about religion.
In a widely circulated 21-second video, Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shehzad is seen persistently encouraging Sri Lankan cricket legend Tilakratne Dilshan to convert to Islam. Shehzad is heard saying, “If you are a non-Muslim and you convert to Islam, regardless of your past actions, you are guaranteed a place in heaven.” In the video, it appears that Dilshan did not respond to Shehzad’s comments, but when the Sri Lankan legend finally did (unfortunately not captured by the microphone), Ahmed Shehzad warned, “Then be prepared for the consequences.”
Pakistan Cricket Team has 11 maulvis, not 11 cricketers 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/VH9VJcjG30
— Incognito X (@Incognito_jkl) November 4, 2022
These incidents raise questions about the role of religious discussions in cricket commentary and their potential impact on the sport. In response to the on-field proselytisation by the Pakistani cricketer, one Twitter user aptly remarked, “Pakistan Cricket Team has 11 maulvis (clerics), not 11 cricketers.” This statement encapsulates the concern that religious expressions are becoming more prominent in the context of cricket, potentially overshadowing the sport itself.
This incident is not an isolated one; it is part of a larger pattern where former Pakistani cricketers have expressed their interest in inviting cricketers from different religious backgrounds to explore Islam. In another noteworthy occurrence, former Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq disclosed a similar incident involving West Indian cricket legend Brian Lara. This incident unfolded during the West Indies team’s tour of Pakistan in 2007.
Yousuf Youhana (Christian) had to convert to Muhammad Yousuf.
Then he was deployed to convert other players
Mohammad Yusuf and Inzamam invited Brian Lara
for dinner and asked him to convert to Islam.Yeh kaam yeh log match khelne ke baad karte the! pic.twitter.com/xFgzmpgYdw
— Nitin Gupta (@Nitin_Rivaldo) October 27, 2021
In a video clip that has gained widespread attention, Inzamam himself acknowledged that he and Mohammad Yousuf extended an invitation to Brian Lara to consider converting to Islam. They shared with Lara their deep commitment to the Quran, their devotion to Allah Almighty, and their adherence to the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Inzamam also mentioned that they discussed various aspects of life, such as respecting parents, handling family matters, interacting with neighbors, and managing business affairs. This incident highlights their inclination to engage in religious conversations and share their faith with others.
Moreover, there are several instances that underscore how Pakistani cricketers and commentators have normalized religious bias against non-Muslims. In October 2021, Pakistani fast bowler Waqar Younis expressed his delight at a particular moment during the India versus Pakistan match at the T20 World Cup. He was moved when Mohammad Rizwan recited the Namaz (Islamic prayer) in front of Hindus on the cricket ground.
Waqar Younis was proud that Pak player read Namaz in middle of Hindus (Indian players). He is currently commentating with Indian Hindu commentators. Indians pretending as if nothing happened. Waqar 'bhai' enjoying Stockholm syndrome of Hindus.pic.twitter.com/ELTVJSCnf4
— Pakistan Untold (@pakistan_untold) August 28, 2022
During a talk show, Younis remarked, “The way Babar and Rizwan batted, displaying both sensibility and aggression, their adept strike rotation, and the expressions on their faces were amazing. What Rizwan did, Mashallah, offering Namaz on the field amidst Hindus, was genuinely something very special for me.” Furthermore, Shoaib Akhtar once propagated the idea of ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind,’ an Islamic supremacist concept, suggesting that Islamic forces would conquer Kashmir and invade India.
Are you a Shoaib Akhtar fan? Do you know Akhtar's plans of 'Ghazwa e Hind (conquest of Hindus by Islamic forces)'? When they say sports and arts have no boundaries, this is what they do not tell you.pic.twitter.com/sRlYml6xow
— Pakistan Untold (@pakistan_untold) December 18, 2020
Akhtar stated, “It is written in our scriptures that Ghazwa e Hind will take place. The river in Attock will be colored red twice with blood. Forces from Afghanistan will reach till Attock. Then after that forces will rise from Shamal Mashriq, and different contingents will arrive from Uzbekistan, etc. This refers to Khorasan, a historical region that extended till Lahore. Later, those forces will conquer Kashmir, and then, Inshallah, they will march onwards (to the rest of India).”
It is pertinent to note that the Islamist doctrine endorsed by Shoaib Akhtar has often been cited by terrorists to justify their attacks in India. The Islamist terror attacks in India occur under the banner of Ghazwa-e-Hind. Extremists in Pakistan are indoctrinated with the concept of Ghazwa-e-Hind, preparing them for suicide missions in India and legitimizing their jihad against the country.
The Plight of Hindus in Pakistan
In 1947, Hindus constituted approximately 14.1 per cent of Pakistan’s population. However, according to the 2017 census, the Hindu population in Pakistan has decreased to 4,975,420 individuals, now making up around 2.21 per cent of the total population. The status of Hindus in Pakistan is a multifaceted and intricate issue. On one hand, Hindus have a longstanding history in Pakistan, contributing significantly to the country’s culture and society since its inception. On the other hand, they have also encountered various forms of discrimination and persecution, resulting in a notable decline in their numbers over the years.
When considering Pakistani cricketers, there is a notable scarcity of Hindu players, with Danish Kaneria being one of the few exceptions. However, even Danish Kaneria’s story reveals the challenges faced by religious minorities in Pakistan.
VIDEO: Shoaib Akhtar makes a sensational revelation. He says Pakistan players refused to eat food with Danish Kaneria because he was a Hindu. He was never given any credit for his performances and was constantly humiliated because of his religion. pic.twitter.com/zinGtzcvym
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) December 26, 2019
Pakistani cricketers have, at times, been accused of discriminating against cricketers based on their religious beliefs. In December 2019, former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar exposed instances of discrimination against ex-cricketer Danish Prabha Shanker Kaneria due to his Hindu faith.
#Exclusive
Whatever Shoaib Akhtar said was true: Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria on mistreatment in Pakistan for being a Hindu.
India Today's @gauravcsawant talks to him. Take a look !#ITVideo More videos: https://t.co/wMGGKJy9GN pic.twitter.com/TvhEfWKVD5— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) December 26, 2019
Following Akhtar’s revelations, Danish Kaneria confirmed the discrimination he faced on the basis of his religion, becoming the second Hindu and the seventh non-Muslim overall to represent Pakistan in international cricket.
Picture of Pakistan cricket team during Inzamam-ul-Haq's captaincy.
Hindu Danish Kaneria & Christian Yousuf Youhana were asked to offer Namaz. #IndiaSupportsCAA pic.twitter.com/FEYXPD0wVo— Priti Gandhi (@MrsGandhi) December 27, 2019
Another prominent case is that of Yousuf Youhana, one of Pakistan’s greatest batsmen, who later converted to Islam and adopted the name Mohammad Yousuf. Yousuf, originally a Dalit Christian known as Yousuf Youhana, changed his religion and name during his career due to religious discrimination. Former Pakistani diplomat Shaharyar M. Khan, who also served as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, detailed Yousuf’s controversial conversion in his book, “Cricket Cauldron: The Turbulent Politics of Sport in Pakistan.”
Yousuf Youhana the shameless/selfish cricketer who abandoned Christianity and converted to Islam, because he wanted to blend in with the team and improve his captaincy chances. He knew that to be a Muslim is one of the criteria in Pakistan to lead the team. #SoCalledSecularPak pic.twitter.com/bkXi5alOgF
— 𝓙𝓪𝔂 🇮🇳 (@jayancm) September 17, 2019
According to Khan, Yousuf converted to Islam partly because of pressure from his teammates, particularly Inzamam-ul-Haq, and his belief that the conversion might improve his chances of captaining the Pakistani cricket team. These instances highlight the complex intersection of religion and cricket in Pakistan.
Before converting to Islam, Yousuf Youhana allegedly made a statement suggesting that “one day Pakistan will be free of non-Muslims.” There is said to be a video supporting this claim.
6. Peaceful pakistani cricketer Yousuf Youhana says "one day pakistan will be free of non-mu$lims"pic.twitter.com/gcVNG30yye
— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) June 5, 2023
The BCCI Should Consider Taking Action
In recent times, the Indian government has garnered widespread appreciation for its firm stance on issues, including the situation involving Canada. In light of this, it is imperative that the Indian government takes a proactive stance on addressing a pressing concern. Specifically, the government should compile a comprehensive list of individuals with a documented history of promoting anti-Hindu bigotry. These individuals should then be placed on a visa blacklist to prevent their entry into India under any circumstances.
The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and the ICC (International Cricket Council) have been passive observers in the face of widespread misuse of the sport by certain radicalized individuals. These individuals have exploited the extensive reach and recognition that cricket offers to advance their religious beliefs, often doing so while holding official roles as sportspeople or commentators.
The failure of these governing bodies to take meaningful action against such incidents raises concerns about the integrity of the sport and its role as a unifying force. It is essential for cricket’s governing bodies to address these issues promptly and decisively to uphold the spirit of the game, ensure inclusivity, and maintain the sport’s credibility as a source of enjoyment and inspiration for fans worldwide.
Comments