Indian lawyer wants ICC to punish Rizwan for praying on field

NEW DELHI: An Indian lawyer has submitted a complaint to the International Cricket Council (ICC) against Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Rizwan for praying on the field.

Rizwan had dedicated his century to the people of Gaza after his match-winning century against Sri Lanka earlier in the ICC World Cup 2023. This act of Rizwan caused an uproar in Indian media but ICC decided to take no action against the Pakistan wicketkeeper, since it was done outside the field in his personal capacity.

However, Vineet Jindal, a Supreme Court advocate in India, has now filed a new complaint, urging the ICC to take strict measures against Rizwan for praying on the field during Pakistan’s first World Cup match against Netherlands in Hyderabad.

Rizwan’s touching dedication following victory against Sri Lanka

“This is a complaint about Pakistan Cricket Player, Mohammad Rizwan, who was seen offering namaz on the cricket field during his team’s opening match of the ongoing ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 on Friday (October 6) against the Netherlands in Hyderabad.”

“This very act of the player raises questions about the spirit of the match and raises a question of the ideology, the player follows while playing the match. The act of displaying his religion by Muhammed Rizwan purposefully depicts his intent to message that he is a Muslim, defeating the spirit of sports. Rizwan was seen offering prayers amid the field while his teammates were waiting for the drinks during the break.” the lawyer argued.

“The act of representation of his religion by Muhammad Rizwan in the field and further followed by his statement in his press conference regarding the dedication of his victory to the people of Gaza further attests to his religious and political ideology,” he added.

It’s worth noting that Jindal previously filed a complaint against Pakistani presenter Zainab Abbas for alleged “anti-Hindu” statements, resulting in her leaving India and issuing an apology.