Matthew Hayden’s Comments on Pakistan’s Cricket Culture Sparks Controversy

Matthew Hayden, the former Australian opening batter, ignited a social media storm with his comments on the influence of Islam on Pakistan’s cricket culture during the World Cup 2023 warm-up match between Australia and Pakistan in Guwahati.

BUDDY

October 5, 2023

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BUDDY

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October 5, 2023

94

Matthew Hayden’s Comments on Pakistan’s Cricket Culture Sparks Controversy

Matthew Hayden, the former Australian opening batter, ignited a social media storm with his comments on the influence of Islam on Pakistan’s cricket culture during the World Cup 2023 warm-up match between Australia and Pakistan in Guwahati.

Cricket News

Matthew Hayden’s Surprising Remark

Matthew Hayden, the former Australian opening batter, ignited a social media storm with his comments on the influence of Islam on Pakistan’s cricket culture during the World Cup 2023 warm-up match between Australia and Pakistan in Guwahati. Hayden, who had previously served as Pakistan’s team mentor for the men’s T20 World Cup in Australia, made these remarks during commentary alongside former PCB chief Ramiz Raja.

Highlighting the Role of Islam

In his on-air commentary, Hayden emphasized the central role of Islam within the Pakistan cricket team, suggesting that it contributes to the discipline and focus of the players. He stated, “Well, it is very focused around Islam, which is a central and core thing to this playing unit. The way of life in the Pakistan team leads to greater discipline, which I greatly admire after all cricket is a discipline as well.”

Viral Impact on Social Media

The video clip featuring Hayden and Raja quickly went viral on social media platforms. While the comments garnered appreciation in Pakistan, they drew criticism from Indian cricket enthusiasts who found them unrelated to the game.

This incident is not the first time a commentator has faced backlash for making non-cricket-related remarks. In 2006, former Australian batter Dean Jones was removed by broadcasters Ten Sports for referring to Hashim Amla as a ‘terrorist’ during a live television broadcast of a Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Colombo. Jones made this statement after Amla took a catch to dismiss Kumar Sangakkara.

Here’s netizens reacted on microblogging site

ICC’s Stance on Commercial and Religious Promotions

The International Cricket Council (ICC) strictly prohibits any form of commercial or religious promotions by individuals involved in the management of multi-national cricket events. In 2019, a controversy arose when MS Dhoni wore wicket-keeping gloves with a dagger insignia during the World Cup. The insignia, resembling an army symbol, led to objections from the ICC.

Last Updated: Oct 5, 2023
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