‘We chose not to make a fuss’ – Irfan Pathan recalls old story of how Pakistani fan almost ended his career
In a recent turn of events, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a formal complaint with the Apex Cricket Council concerning the behaviour of the Indian crowd towards Pakistani players, fans, and supporters. However, the Apex Cricket Council has announced that it will not take any action in response to the PCB’s complaint, citing the limitations of its anti-discrimination code of conduct.
A senior official shed light on the matter, explaining that the anti-discrimination code of conduct is designed to address the behaviour of individuals rather than entire crowds. While the Apex Council takes every complaint seriously, applying the code to an entire crowd proves challenging. The official further expressed the difficulty of taking any tangible action in this context.
The official clarified that the Apex Cricket Council might identify and address individuals if charges of racism or discrimination arise. However, when faced with thousands of people participating in a particular behaviour or slogan, the Apex Cricket Council’s options become limited.
Former Indian fast bowler and current commentator, Irfan Pathan, weighed in on the issue, sharing a personal incident from his playing days. During India’s tour of Pakistan in 2004 and 2006, Pathan revealed an alarming incident that occurred in Peshawar. He described how a fan threw an iron nail at him, narrowly missing his eye.
Irfan Pathan’s opens up on Indian fans’ behaviour
Recalling the Peshawar incident, Irfan said, “Peshawar me ham khelne gaye he, tab ek Pakistani fan ne meri aankh k niche keel mardi thi. Lekin hamisiss baat ka batangad ni banaya”. He also said that the match had to be halted for 10 minutes due to the incident. He emphasized that although the situation was potentially dangerous, the Indian team didn’t dwell on it and continued to focus on playing good cricket. He also suggested that Pakistan should avoid making extensive issues out of crowd behaviour in India.
Irfan’s perspective highlights the importance of maintaining focus on the game amidst the intense rivalry between India and Pakistan. While crowd behaviour is a crucial consideration, it should not overshadow the spirit of cricket and the dedication of players to deliver exceptional performances on the field.
In summary, the Apex Cricket Council’s decision not to act on the PCB’s complaint underscores the complexities of addressing crowd behaviour in international cricket, while Irfan Pathan’s personal experience serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by players in the heat of competition.
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