When former Pakistani cricketer Abdul Razzaq sparked controversy: 'Marrying Aishwarya Rai, a good and pious kid would be wrong, it would never happen'

Former Pakistani cricketer Abdul Razzaq sparked a firestorm of criticism after making a derogatory comment about Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai. The situation was further complicated when Shahid Afridi seemed to support the remarks by laughing and applauding.
The Incident Unfolds
During a discussion about Pakistan's performance in the 2023 ICC World Cup, Razzaq shifted the focus by criticizing the Pakistan Cricket Board. He made a surprising and inappropriate comment about how marrying Aishwarya Rai could lead to success, which stunned the audience and diverted attention from the actual cricket issues. The video also showed Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul laughing along with Razzaq's remark.
He said, “Younis Khan had a good intention as a captain and it gave me confidence to perform better. Everyone over here is taking about the intention and Pakistan’s team. Actually, we don’t have good intention to develop and polish players in Pakistan. If you think that by marrying Aishwarya Rai, a good and pious kid would be wrong, it would never happen.”
Public Reaction
After the incident, the team was slammed on social media by the people that cricket players should be more professional and respectful. Personal jokes and mean comments don't belong in sports talks.
Apology and Aftermath
Later, Abdul Razzaq issued a public apology to Aishwarya after making a controversial remark. He attributed the comment to a "slip of the tongue," stating that he did not intend to hurt anyone's sentiments. Razzaq's apology came after widespread criticism from fans and fellow cricketers, including Shoaib Akhtar.