World Cup News: India vs Australia: India and Australia are the finalists in the World Cup. India has been performing exceptionally well, winning 10 matches in a row. If they win the final, it will be their 11th victory in a row, a feat only achieved by Australia before. However, Pakistani experts have raised conspiracy theories, questioning India’s performance. They claim that India is playing with a different ball, the coin toss has been rigged, and even the technology is biased towards India.
These claims are not made by random pundits but by former international cricketers who played for the Pakistani cricket team. Their analysis includes allegations of ball manipulation and toss rigging. Former cricketer Wasim Akram responded to these claims, stating that he feels embarrassed and does not want to comment on them. He dismisses them as a joke and criticizes those who propagate such theories.
Unfortunately, Pakistani cricket experts can stoop even lower by making sexist comments. Abdul Razak, a former cricketer, made derogatory remarks about Indian actor Ashwar Ray during a promotional event for the T20 World Cup. He considers her morally corrupt, most likely due to her career choice. Such comments reflect the narrow and patriarchal thinking of these individuals.
Razak has apologized for his comments, claiming it was a slip of the tongue. However, it is clear that he meant every word he said. This incident is not unique; there are other examples of Pakistani men in power making derogatory remarks towards women. Quaja Assif, Pakistan’s former defense minister, made disrespectful comments about female leaders in opposition, referring to them as trash and garbage.
In South Asia, politicians and cricketers hold significant influence. With influence comes responsibility, but unfortunately, some individuals fail to recognize this responsibility. Pedaling conspiracy theories and making sexist jokes influence the next generation, normalizing such behavior. It is crucial for attitudes to change and for Pakistan, and other countries in the region, to address these issues.