ICC to punish Pakistani Batter Mohammad Rizwan over code of conduct violation?
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In New Delhi, an Indian lawyer has lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Rizwan. The complaint pertains to Rizwan's on-field prayer during Pakistan's opening match against the Netherlands in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023, which took place in Hyderabad.
Rizwan had previously garnered attention for dedicating his century to the people of Gaza following his match-winning performance against Sri Lanka in the same tournament. This gesture caused a significant stir in the Indian media. Nevertheless, the ICC had initially opted not to take any action against the Pakistan wicketkeeper, as they viewed it as a personal action outside the boundaries of the playing field.
However, Vineet Jindal, a Supreme Court advocate in India, has now taken it upon himself to file a fresh complaint with the ICC. In his complaint, he urges the governing body to impose strict measures against Rizwan for his on-field prayer during the match against the Netherlands in Hyderabad.
Jindal's complaint argues that Rizwan's on-field prayer raises concerns about the integrity of the game and questions the player's ideological stance while participating in a cricket match. Jindal asserts that Rizwan's act of publicly displaying his religion on the field suggests a deliberate intent to convey his religious identity, which goes against the spirit of sportsmanship.
Rizwan was observed offering prayers while his teammates awaited drinks during a break in the match.
The lawyer further emphasizes that Rizwan's public representation of his religion is reinforced by statements he made during a press conference, where he dedicated his victory to the people of Gaza. According to Jindal, these actions and statements underscore Rizwan's religious and political ideology.
It's important to note that Vineet Jindal had previously filed a complaint against Pakistani presenter Zainab Abbas, accusing her of making "anti-Hindu" statements. This led to her departure from India and an issued apology.
