Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar lost his cool after a news reporter of an Indian TV news channel referred to Pakistan’s defeat against India in the ongoing 2018 Asia Cup with the cleaning movement “Swachh Bharat.”
The fast-bowling legend, who appeared on a debate show during the Super Four clash of the Asia Cup between India-Pakistan, was irritated by the comments of the show anchor, who claimed that the eight-wicket thrashing that Pakistan received from India was similar to the “Swachh Bharat” mission. Akhtar went on a verbal spate with the anchor.
“In India, the second edition of Swachhta Mission has just started. And it seems to me that Indian team has taken it very seriously as they thrashed Pakistan just 100 hours ago. Are your players ready to get thrashed once again?” the reporter asked the 43-year-old, as quoted by Indian Express.
Such a question seemed to have infuriated Akhtar, who asked the reporter to shut up or ask him questions related to cricket.
“See, I don’t know what is your name. But I respect you. And if you ask me questions with respect, then only will I answer you. If you talk about ‘thrashing’ and ‘dhulaai‘ and ‘Swachhta‘, then I will not. Ask me questions on cricket, I will talk about cricket. I request you to talk about cricket. As of now, I cannot understand your language,” said the Rawalpindi Express.
Demanding some respect and talking manners from the reporter, Akhtar further added, “I am not some local cricketer to whom you can speak in such a manner – ‘dhulaai ho rahi hai‘, ‘pitaai ho rahi hai‘, ‘maar denge‘, ‘pichhad denge‘, please do not talk in such a way. Talk to me about cricket, and try and understand who is sitting in front of you.”
Pakistan, however, went on to lose the match by nine-wickets as India chased down the 238-run target with as many as 11 overs to spare. Pakistan were later eliminated from the tournament after losing by 26 runs to Bangladesh in the final Super Four match.
India faces Bangladesh in the Asia Cup final on Thursday.
Video Credit – Indian Express