Former Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi has issued a clarification on the controversy surrounding Abdul Razzaq’s derogatory comments for Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai. Afridi defended his decision to clap and laugh saying that he didn’t quite realise what Razzaq was saying.
“We were sitting and the programme was underway on the stage. I didn’t understand, but just laughed. I knew Razzaq will say something since he has a mic in his hand. He’s fond of speaking. Believe me, everyone there was laughing. It was only after I came home when someone shared the clip with me.”
Afridi said that he realised only when he watched the clip with attention. “I felt very awkward. I said come on yaar. I am going to send Razzaq a message asking him to apologise (to Aishwarya),” Afridi said..
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
Speaking at an event, Razzaq had said that it was foolish to think that Aishwarya Rai would give birth to a pious and upright child.
“Baat ye hai ki hamari neeyat hai hi nahi ki kisi cheez ko polish kiya jaaye. Players ko develop kiya jaaye. Agar aap ki soch ye hai ki main Aishwarya Rai se shaadi karoon aur wahan se koi nek aur parhezgaar bachcha paida ho to aisa kabhi nahi ho sakta (The fact of the matter is that we don’t want to polish anything, develop players. If you think that I will marry Aishwarya Rai and expect her to give birth to pious and upright children, then this is impossible),” the former Pakistani all-rounder had said.
Afridi and Umar Gul were seen laughing and clapping after Razzaq made those comments.