World Cup 2023: Complaint filed against Mohammad Rizwan for offering ‘namaz’ on the cricket field

• Image Credit: Google

• Oct 16, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Pakistan's star keeper-batsman, Mohammad Rizwan, finds himself at the center of controversy after offering prayers (namaz) on the cricket field during a...

Digital Desk: Pakistan's star keeper-batsman, Mohammad Rizwan, finds himself at the center of controversy after offering prayers (namaz) on the cricket field during a World Cup 2023 match against the Netherlands. The incident has sparked a complaint filed with the International Cricket Council (ICC), questioning the spirit of the game.

Vineet Jindal, an advocate in the Supreme Court of India, expressed his concerns about Rizwan's actions by writing to ICC Chairman Greg Barclay. Jindal's complaint highlighted the player's act of offering namaz during the match as symbolic of a deliberate depiction of his religion, which he believes goes against the spirit of sportsmanship.

In his formal complaint, Jindal stated, "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 (Oct 6) against the Netherlands in Hyderabad. The act of Mohammad Rizwan, when he read namaz on the cricket field amid many Indians, is symbolic of the intentional depiction of his religion, which stands against the spirit of sports."

The lawyer went on to question the ideology behind Rizwan's actions and the impact they have on the spirit of cricket. By offering prayers in the field, Jindal argued that Rizwan was intentionally emphasizing his religion, which he believed was contrary to the ethos of sportsmanship.

Vineet Jindal shared the photo of his complaint on social media, quickly gaining widespread attention and sparking debates among cricket enthusiasts and beyond.

Jindal's complaint read, "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 Mohammed Rizwan purposefully depicts his intent to convey that he is a Muslim, defeating the spirit of sports. Rizwan was seen offering prayers amid the field while his teammates were waiting for drinks during the break."

Rizwan's recent statement on social media dedicating his match-winning century against Sri Lanka to the people of Gaza further contributed to the controversy. Critics argue that this, along with his on-field actions, indicates the player's strong religious and political ideology, which goes against the guidelines set by cricket's governing bodies.

At present, Pakistan's performance in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 has been mixed, with two wins and one loss in their three matches. Their next challenge is a clash against Australia in Bengaluru on Friday, October 20. The controversy surrounding Mohammad Rizwan's actions on the field has ignited a debate about the role of personal beliefs in professional sports and the fine line between self-expression and adherence to the spirit of cricket.