Former Pakistani cricketer Abdul Razzaq makes a public apology to Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachan for controversial remarks he had made about the actress during a recent press conference, calling it a “slip of the tongue.”
As the remarks made by Razzaq soon went viral, drawing public backlash and criticism from other cricket players and fans of the game, he promptly apologized for his comments in a video message recorded on Tuesday. “It was a slip of the tongue, I had to give another example but I took Aishwarya Rai jee’s name,” he said. “I really apologize and say sorry to her. It was not my intent [to hurt her].”
Abdur Razzaq’s public apology to Aishwariya Rai after Shahid Afridi urges him!#SamaaTV #Pakistan #ShahidAfridi #AbdurRazzaq #AishwariyaRai #WorldCup23 #Cricket #Cricket23 #ICCCricketWorldCup2023 #ZorKaJor@SAfridiOfficial @Mushy_online @yousaf1788 @umairbashirr @sawerapasha pic.twitter.com/dZksfgJmZZ
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) November 14, 2023
The remark was made by Razzaq while speaking at a press conference about intentions in cricket coaching, while he attempted to make a point by mentioning Aishwarya Rai in a reference that was widely perceived as being disrespectful.
Shahid Afridi, who was also present during the press conference also apologized on Razzaq’s behalf admitting that the remark was in bad taste, clarifying that though he was present at the event he had not heard Razzaq’s comment at the time, expressing his intention to ask Razzaq to apologize publicly.
Shahid Afridi says he will ask Abdul Razzaq to apologize for his comments on Aishwarya Rai. Lala says he didn’t know what Razzaq said at that time but saw the clip once he reached home. Well done, Lala 💯👏🏼👏🏼 @SAfridiOfficial pic.twitter.com/w9wcf2Lzp2
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 14, 2023
Shoaib Akhtar, known for his fast bowling, also denounced his comments stating “No woman should be disrespected like this.”
I highly condemn the inappropriate joke/comparison made by Razzaq.
No woman should be disrespected like this.
People seated beside him should have raised their voice right away rather than laughing & clapping.— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) November 14, 2023
