Matthew Hayden commentating with Ramiz Raja during World Cup 2023 warm-up fixture
Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden, who was a member of the Pakistan coaching staff, has been accused of promoting Islam on air. He was commenting with former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja.
The social media was taken by storm when the cricket fans noticed former Australia opening batter Matthew Hayden speaking about the impact of Islam on Pakistan’s cricketing culture. His remarks came while calling the World Cup 2023 warm-up fixture between Australia and Pakistan in Guwahati on Tuesday, alongside former PCB chief Ramiz Raja.
Hayden had seen Babar Azam & Co from close quarters when he worked as Pakistan’s team mentor for the men’s T20 World Cup in Australia last year.
“Well, it is very focused around Islam, which is a central and core thing to this playing unit. The way of life in the Pakistan team leads to greater discipline, which I greatly admire after all cricket is a discipline as well,” Hayden was heard saying on air while commentating with Ramiz Raja on Star Sports network.
-Ramiz Raza and Matthew Hayden promoting Islam during warm up match of world cup-Hayden was Batting consultant of Pakistan team during 2022 T20 World Cup-Both are promoting personal religious beliefs in commentary funded by ICC which is eventually funded by BCCI-Hopefully… pic.twitter.com/stxjPJkf4L— BALA (@rightarmleftist) October 4, 2023
The video clip, featuring Hayden and Raja, has now gone viral on social media. While the Pakistan media and citizens are celebrating the former Aussie cricketer’s comment, it didn’t go down well among the Indian fans who are now slamming Matthew Hayden on social media.
Here’s how the netizens reacted on microblogging site X:
Why is this Commentary between Ramiz Raja and Mathew Hayden openly promoting & glorifying IsIam being allowed??? This is a Cricket World Cup Match not some Religious gathering that such sermons be given pic.twitter.com/U7C3urJQZ6— Rosy (@rose_k01) October 4, 2023
-Ramiz Raza and Matthew Hayden promoting Islam during warm up match of world cup-Hayden was Batting consultant of Pakistan team during 2022 T20 World Cup-Both are promoting personal religious beliefs in commentary funded by ICC which is eventually funded by BCCI-Hopefully… pic.twitter.com/stxjPJkf4L— BALA (@rightarmleftist) October 4, 2023
Whether it’s on the cricket field or in the commentary box, Pakistanis tend to bring their religion into it somehow.. This video is from today’s match.. where Pakistan’s Ramiz Raja is discussing Islam with Australian Matthew Hayden during live commentary #AUSvsPAK #PAKvAUS… pic.twitter.com/eTrVKQPe2P— R S (@rs_rajender) October 3, 2023
This is not the first time a commentator has landed in hot waters for speaking something that’s unnecessary or irrelevant from a cricketing perspective. Back in 2006, former Australia batter, Late Dean Jones, was sacked by broadcasters Ten Sports for calling Hashim Amla a ‘terrorist’ on live television during a Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Jones made the statement after Amla took the catch to dismiss Kumar Sangakkara.
ICC doesn’t allow commercial or religious promotions in multi-nation events
The International Cricket Council (ICC) never allows any commercial or religious promotions by the people involved in the conduct of multi-nation events. Back in 2019, MS Dhoni wearing the dagger insignia on his wicket-keeping gloves led to a controversy as ICC expressed an objection.
During India’s opening World Cup game against South Africa in Southampton in 2019, Dhoni’s keeping gloves had a dagger logo, which resembled to Army insignia.
