The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has received high praise from the English delegation for the tight security and excellent hospitality, while stand-in skipper Moeen Ali’s post-match remark about which city has the best food has reignited the country’s never-ending debate after he said that the food in Lahore had let him down.
The cricket team from England defeated Pakistan on Sunday by a score of 67 runs, winning 4-3 and clinching the seven-match series. A journalist questioned Ali about the team’s satisfaction with the security during their visit to Pakistan and whether they had the opportunity to sample any of the cuisine while they were there during a news conference after the game.
Ali drew a distinction between Karachi and Lahore, the two cities where the matches were held, saying that the security had been “excellent” and had above their expectations.
Speaking of the food, he said, “I’ve been a little bit disappointed in Lahore, Karachi was really nice. Everything’s nice but this time I found it a little bit disappointing maybe because I lost my tastebuds a bit.”
After 17 years, the crew returned to Pakistan, and it was obvious that food was a top priority. Mark Wood, an England bowler, cited daal as one of his favourite Pakistani foods in an interview.
The one topic that may quickly transform a casual conversation between Karachi and Lahore residents into an argumentative disagreement is food. Here are some Twitter reactions:
English all-round cricketer Moeen Ali has announced his retirement from Test cricket.
Discussing his decision, Moeen said: “I’m 34 now and I want to play for as long as I can and I just want to enjoy my cricket. Test cricket is amazing, when you’re having a good day it’s better than any other format by far, it’s more rewarding and you feel like you’ve really earnt it.”
“I will miss just walking out there with the lads, playing against best in the world with that feeling of nerves but also from a bowling point of view, knowing with my best ball I could get anyone out. I’ve enjoyed Test Cricket but that intensity can be too much sometimes and I feel like I’ve done enough of it and I’m happy and content with how I’ve done.”
Moeen had already informed captain Joe Root and head coach Chris Silverwood of his decision.
The 34-year-old has scored 2,914 runs in 64 Tests at an average of 28.29 with five centuries and picked up 195 wickets with his off-spin bowling at an average of 36.66.
Meanwhile, he will play both the formats other than Test and he remains a part of England’s plans for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman.
England pacers Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood and Sam Billings have raised their voice and spoken in support of Moeen Ali after author Taslima Nasreen’s Islamophobic tweet.
Taslima, in a now-deleted tweet, had said that the England all-rounder would have joined the militant Islamic State (IS) group had he not been playing cricket.
“If Moeen Ali were not stuck with cricket, he would have gone to Syria to join ISIS,” Taslima had said.
Jofra Archer did not take it lightly and wrote: “Are you okay? I don’t think you’re okay.”
The Bangladeshi-Swedish author later tried to calm things down, claiming that her tweet on Moeen was “sarcastic”.
“Haters know very well that my Moeen Ali tweet was sarcastic,” said Nasreen. “But they made that an issue to humiliate me because I try to secularise Muslim society and oppose Islamic fanaticism.”
“One of the greatest tragedies of humankind is pro-women leftists support anti-women Islamists,” she added.
Haters know very well that my Moeen Ali tweet was sarcastic. But they made that an issue to humiliate me because I try to secularize Muslim society & I oppose Islamic fanaticism. One of the greatest tragedies of humankind is pro-women leftists support anti-women Islamists.
Domestic English cricketer Ben Duckett also extended his support to Ali, saying: “This is the problem with this app. People being able to say stuff like this. Disgusting. Things need to change, please report this account!”
This is the problem with this app. People being able to say stuff like this. Disgusting. Things need to change, please report this account! https://t.co/uveSFqbna0
Nasreen’s tweet also sparked outrage on social media.
Heartening to see the way British Cricketers have stood up for #MoeenAli after Taslima Nasreen’s hideous tweet. Wish our chaps would take a cue or two and speak their mind, not just coordinate their hashtags.
Another form of #extremism. Anyone with a beard is a Taliban and IS terrorist. This stupidity must always be given a shut-up call, always, like this great English player has done to support his team mate… #MoeenAli#taslimanasreenpic.twitter.com/5bRJ0HakhR
Moeen (Ali) wants people to know he is Muslim and Asian and British and that there is no conflict between any of those. Not easy for those to understand who has made a profession selling bigotry. #MoeenAlihttps://t.co/wsOw3bfgN8 via @cricketmonthly
Taseelma Nasreen is an Islamophobic maniac. Moeen Ali is a devout Muslim, excellent cricketer, human bng, associated wid charity works 4 kids, ambsdr for free cricket coaching. Has shown concern abt British Muslims joining terrorist organisations such as Al Qaeda & ISIS.#MoeenAlipic.twitter.com/CKDMwC3ybG
Shame on you @taslimanasreen. You will be remembered as a garden variety bigot not a writer, certainly not a rationalist or feminist. https://t.co/tjjeheBmdJ
Moeen Ali’s presentation reminds me of Hashim Amla. Both exhibit the same disciplined conduct and politeness on and off the field. An absolute role model #MoeenAli@benstokes38@JofraArcher
Meanwhile, Moeen’s father Munir Ali also spoke about the hurt it has caused and how his son has broken stereotypes while following his heart and faith.
Speaking about the tweet, Ali said: “I am hurt and shocked to read Taslima Nasreen’s vile remark against my son Moeen. In her “clarifying” tweet, where she described her original remark as sarcasm, she also says she stands against fundamentalism.”
“If she looks into a mirror, she will know what she tweeted is what is fundamentalist – a vicious stereotype against a Muslim person, a clearly Islamophobic statement. Someone who doesn’t have self-respect and respect for others can only stoop to this level,” he continued.
Munir further said: “Truth be told, I am really angry, but I know I would be playing into the hands of people like her if I let my rage get out of control. If I get to meet her someday, I will tell what I really think of her on her face.”
“For now, I would ask her to pick a dictionary and see the meaning of sarcasm. It’s not what she thinks it is. It’s not spewing vile poisonous stuff against someone you don’t even know and then retracting it by saying it was sarcasm. Of all the people to pick on for her agenda, I can’t believe she has chosen my son. Everyone in the cricketing world knows the person he is. Let me reiterate for those who don’t,” he concluded.
The matter had risen when Ali, Chennai Super King’s new recruit for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, had requested to remove the logo of a liquor brand from his jersey.
