Kamran Akmal, a former cricket player for Pakistan, apologized to the Sikh community and Harbhajan Singh after receiving backlash for his “racist joke” about the Indian player.
Harbhajan Singh, a former India cricketer, was in no condition to tolerate a racial remark made by former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal about current Team India star Arshdeep Singh. As India faced Pakistan in a tense T20 World Cup 2024 match in New York, Akmal made a racial ‘Sikh’ joke at Arshdeep, which went viral on social media. When the video reached Harbhajan’s notice, he proceeded to social media to bash the former Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman while also teaching him some history. Akmal eventually made an apology.
Akmal participated on an ARY News panel, according to a video published by Harbhajan. During the show, he made a controversial statement concerning Arshdeep’s faith, saying, “Kuch bhi ho sakta hai… 12 baj gaye hai (Anything can happen). “It is already 12).”
Harbhajan was offended by Kamran’s words against Arshdeep, and he posted on X, “Lakh di laanat tere Kamraan Akhmal. Before you open your filthy tongue, you should be familiar with Sikh history. We Sikhs rescued your mothers and sisters when they were kidnapped by invaders at 12 o’clock. You should be ashamed…Have some gratitude.”
He formed helpful partnerships with Axar Patel (20 in 18 balls, two fours, and a six) and Suryakumar Yadav (seven in eight balls, one four). However, the lower middle order buckled under the pressure of scoring runs on such a difficult wicket, and India managed only 119 in 19 overs.
The leading bowlers for Pakistan were Haris Rauf (3/21) and Naseem Shah (3/21). Mohammed Amir took two wickets, while Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed one.
Pakistan took a more cautious approach in the run chase, with Mohammed Rizwan (31 in 44 balls, including fours and sixes) holding one end steady. However, Bumrah (3/14) and Hardik Pandya (2/24) claimed important wickets of skipper Babar Azam (13), Fakhar Zaman (13), Shadab Khan (4), and Iftikhar Ahmed (5), keeping the pressure on Pakistan. With 18 runs needed in the last over, Naseem Shah (10*) attempted to seal the victory for Pakistan, but Arshdeep Singh (1/31) ensured Pakistan fell six runs short.
Bumrah was named the ‘Player of the Match’ for his match-winning performance.
