Ijaz Ahmed’s comments on Pashtun cricketers led to controversy, and a match-fixer called journalist Mansoor Ali Khan.
Mohammad Asif, a former national fast bowler, has publicly responded to statements made by another former player, Ijaz Ahmed, concerning Pashtun cricketers. Senior journalist Mansoor Ali Khan first criticized these remarks in a vlog after Ahmad alleged on a private TV channel that most players from remote areas or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly Pashtuns, lack the necessary exposure and training to perform under pressure.
Asif’s response came following Khan’s accusations that past instances of match-fixing within the national team did not involve any Pashtun players but were linked to players from Punjab. Asif was implicated in a high-profile match-fixing scandal in 2010, resulting in a cricket ban.
In the unfolding dialogue, Asif contacted Khan after the journalist’s vlog led to a heated exchange. Khan titled his follow-up vlog “Mansoor gets a call from a match-fixer,” addressing Asif’s call and inquiries about being dragged into the controversy. Khan clarified his remarks were general and not directly aimed at Asif, highlighting the ongoing stigma attached to individuals previously involved in match-fixing scandals.
Feeling targeted by the discussions, Asif issued a video statement condemning Ahmad’s biased remarks and questioning Khan’s authority to judge character based on past incidents. Asif expressed concern about the impact of such public discussions on his family, emphasizing the historical context of his previous involvement in match-fixing and his subsequent rehabilitation.
