29 December,2015 08:15 AM IST | | PTI
The debate over whether tainted left-arm pacer should be allowed to play for Pakistan again has created a big divide in Pakistan cricket with former cricketers Muhammad Yousuf and Rameez Raja engaging in a war of words
Mohammad Yousuf and Rameez Raja
Karachi: The debate over whether tainted left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir should be allowed to play for Pakistan again has created a big divide in Pakistan cricket with former cricketers Muhammad Yousuf and Rameez Raja engaging in a war of words on the issue during a TV show.
Mohammad Yousuf and Rameez Raja
The two used some very personal, coarse and unrefined language against each on national television during a show on Geo Super channel.
The offensive exchange of words took place over the issue of Amir with Yousuf claiming Rameez didn't know cricket, was a 'sifarashi' (recommended) player and good only to be a teacher. Yousuf went one step further when he made some personal remarks against the former Test captain who lost his cool on air. Rameez then termed Yousuf, who sports a beard, as a fake mullah, who tells lies caused havoc in Pakistan cricket.
The clips of the exchange soon became the talk of the social media with many former players, fans and critics expressing disappointment over the language used by both former stalwarts.
Pakistan's former Test captain Rashid Latif said what happened was most unfortunate. "I have played with both. They are looked upon with respect by fans. It does not pass on the right message to anyone," Latif said.
Two of Pakistan's senior players Mohammad Hafeez and national one-day captain Azhar Ali both refused to train with Amir in the national training camp in Lahore, but later agreed to return on the intervention of the PCB chief Shaharyar Khan.
Responding to remarks from Yousuf that Amir was the world's best bowler and that someone had instigated Azhar Ali, Rameez said neither was Amir the world's best bowler nor did anyone instigate Azhar.
