Recently, Shoaib Akhtar severely criticized Sarfaraz Ahmed for his unfit physique. Akhtar talked about the deteriorating fitness level of the captain and said that he’s the least fit captain in the history of Pakistani cricket. While describing Sarfaraz’s physical appearance, Shoaib said, “Itna barra pait hai uska aur itna barra moun hai uska.” Shoaib also mentioned that the current captain has serious issues while moving across the field.
Here’s the video:
https://twitter.com/emclub77/status/1134511159971864576
Whatever qualms Shoaib Akhtar has about Sarfaraz’s role as a captain or his level of fitness, resorting to body-shaming is never an option. If you have an opinion, there’s always a way to say things. While the concern around fitness might be valid, it gets negated by the blatant body-shaming carried out by an otherwise well-respected cricketer. It is, by all means, disappointing.
People on Twitter pointed out the same, calling the remarks, “harsh.”
Harsh – Shoaib Akhtar "When Sarfaraz Ahmed came for the toss, his stomach was sticking out and his face was so fat. He's the first captain I've seen who is so unfit. He's not able to move across and he's struggling with wicket-keeping" #CWC19 #PAKvWI
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) May 31, 2019
They also asserted that these remarks are “beyond pathetic.”
Shoaib Akhtar body shaming Sarfraz Ahmed during the ICC World Cup 2019 is without a doubt the lowest thing I've ever seen.
Such remarks coming from a former senior cricketer for the Captain of the Pakistan team is beyond pathetic.
— who's this 🇵🇰 (@Samreeen_) May 31, 2019
Some thought the message came at a time when the team needs positivity around them
Shoaib Akhtar's video negative video message about Sarfaraz Ahmed comes at a time when the team needs positive energy around them. 1/2
— Raza.H (@razahaidery90) June 1, 2019
However, a major faction of cricket fans disagreed with the people who associated the comments by Shoaib with body shaming
They explained their stance by asserting that professional players are required to be fit at all times. They also mentioned that the game is all about fitness, thus the criticism by Shoaib is justified.
Players are supposed to be fit and look after themselves.Shoaib Akhtar has a point and no it's not body shaming.
— A!!! (@yaarbasna) May 31, 2019
I don't know if y'all started watching Cricket yesterday but the Game is all about fitness. Shoaib Akhtar's criticism is on spot. I don't know why you'll considering it body shaming.
— Umar (@TenseCooler) June 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/Sarahh_Usman/status/1134731165980614656
https://twitter.com/KeerthanaNair1/status/1134850632987267073
They even mentioned that the players are paid for remaining in shape and for achieving the required level of fitness
It’s not body shaming when the person in question is getting paid to be fit. If he even can’t do that, why is he in team pocketing millions of tax payers money. Irony is he is not just a player, he is captain of the team. Get fit or get out Sarfraz https://t.co/MqvSS6kTmS
— Zameer Maan (@ZameerMaan) June 1, 2019
On the other hand, a few dragged Inzamam-ul-Haq into the situation and said that he was more unfit than Sarfaraz
https://twitter.com/ZaheemKhan18/status/1134820310379839489
Inzmam-ul-Haq naam ka ek captain hua karta tha Shoaib bhai aapka.
Unse jyada unfit to nahi he hai Sarfraz 🤣— Rahul Singh (@12_rahuls) June 1, 2019
But again, people missed the point – Inzamam or Sarfaraz, you can’t go around body-shaming people
Harsh, he played under captaicy of fattest cricketer to ever play Talking about inzy. Asay nahi bolna chiya tha sarfaraz ko..
— zain (@ThatUlisse) May 31, 2019
Inzi Bhai to fitness ki misaal thy jab captain thy.
— Mahayyy (@ThisThisnThz) May 31, 2019
People did NOT forget to mention that Shoaib himself was extremely unfit in the last 4-5 years of his career
@shoaib100mph uncle aap khud to ek over karne me 20 minute lagate the aur gyan aise de rahe ho jaise aap toh @usainbolt ho
— sumit soni (@CASUMITSONI) June 1, 2019
Yeh banda apna time bhool gaya jab itni moti tuwee sey khelta tha.
— Bolts (@dr_boltz) May 31, 2019
They went on to give examples from his career and stated that he has forgotten his physique as a cricketer.
Fitness per baat koun kar raha Hai jiski apni fitness mashallah the
— Yasir Lodhi Pathan (@scorpionyasir1) June 1, 2019
Shoaib was unfit for the last 4-5 years of his career so he shouldn’t really speak too much. Was so keen on building his upper body that his legs couldn’t take his weight hence why he had so many knee injuries.
— Ovais Mirza (@TheOvais_M) May 31, 2019
A few highlighted that Shoaib’s fitness as a cricketer is NOT the point of discussion here. The main point is that the cricketers should consider their game as a profession and should work hard to be the best version of themselves.
"But Shoaib Akhtar was himself always unfit"
That's not the point. The point is, our players treat cricket as some sort of perk that is awarded to them. They don't treat it as their profession, if they did they would work their asses off to be the best version of themselves. https://t.co/NZkwOnorZq— T (@isthisstillme) June 1, 2019
The World Cup is a huge deal. If members of the team are unfit in any way, that must be dealt with. However, there surely must be better ways to go about it. At the end of the day, no one’s right here and these comments have just led to people accepting Sarfaraz’s body-shaming, but also dragging in others unnecessarily.
What are your thoughts on the issue? Let us know in the comments below.
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