'Chupke Chupke' actor Arslan Naseer called out for condescending commentary on Women’s cricket team

YouTuber compared Pakistan’s team to that of India’s in the recent ICC Women’s World Cup match

Cricket is inarguably the most-watched sport in the country however, the hype for it is primarily centred around men’s cricket only. Given the lack of academies, resources, audience and societal privileges, it is unfair to compare and demotivate the girls in green on their performance in the international field. Not getting the memo, Arslan Naseer, a YouTuber turned actor, posted a tone-deaf video commenting on the recent match of Pakistan’s women’s cricket team with India’s women’s cricket team for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022.

The Chupke Chupke actor compared statistics on how the girls in green are incompetent and do not put up a fair fight. He called the match “one-sided” and made fun of the team captain Bismah Maroof coming in the field with her baby girl Fatima. His condescending commentary not only disregards the efforts of the team but also makes baseless illogical arguments. Netizens were fuelled against him and called him “trash” for his ignorant dialogue and for masquerading his insulting comments as "critique". 

Sports analyst Hasan Cheema took to Twitter to highlight the issue and pointed out his responsibility as a public figure given his massive fan following and influence. He wrote, “[I] usually ignore YouTubers and stuff, especially guys I have never heard of before, but turns out he's got 100k+ followers on Twitter alone. You hear the content and realize that there’s no possibility of a better dialogue in Pakistan’s cricket discourse.”

Usually ignore YouTubers and stuff, especially guyd I have never heard of before, but turns out he's got 100k+ followers on Twitter alone. You hear the content and realize k Pakistani cricket k discourse ki koi behtari mumkin nahi. https://t.co/f9La373Lz0

— Hassan Cheema (@mediagag) March 10, 2022

Echoing Arslan’s comments, a user commented to explain his stance saying he's only criticising the girls for not putting up a fight against women who are also from Asia and face somewhat similar struggles and challenges to play sports.

He is just saying that they played against women who are also from Asia and face somewhat similar struggles and challenges to play sport like Pakistan so if they can play so we'll why can't our women at least fight till the end make match interesting don't make it one sided

— Mahsud Rehman (@mahsudrehman1) March 10, 2022

Cheema called the comment “illiterate” and went on to say, “Please check BCCI’s budget breakdown, see both their remuneration and the amount of cricket they play. Compare that to here. The fact that occasionally the matches are not one-sided is something worth celebrating [instead of criticising and degrading.]”

Iss se ziada jahalat waali baat maein ne kayi dino se nahi suni. Aap BCCI ka budget breakdown dekho, see both their remuneration and the amount of cricket they play. Compare that to here. The fact k occasionally the matches are not one sided is something worth celebrating.

— Hassan Cheema (@mediagag) March 10, 2022

Another user called the actor “trash”  and wrote, “This type of behaviour needs to be called out. We live in a desi typical society where cricket culture isn't the same for women like men. They don't play street cricket like them. Shame on you. Not everything is to be joked about.”

Arslan is TRASH. This type of behavior needs to be called out. We live in a desi typical society where cricket culture isn't same for women like men. They don't play street cricket like them. Shame on you. Her chez mazak ke liye nhi huti @ArslanNaseerCBA #ArslanNaseer pic.twitter.com/2YcqMFHp7I

— Farwa 🌸🇵🇰 (@farwaa_zaidi5) March 10, 2022

I so wish I hadn't come across this video by Arslan Naseer, but unfortunately, I did. What utter trash! Before anyone comes out to defend him, he is not critiquing the performance of the Pakistan players here; he is downright insulting the Pakistan women cricketers. https://t.co/22zzVIcL8M

— Saba S. Sheikh (@sabassheikh) March 10, 2022

For those who defended Arslan, a user gave a lowdown with statistics and facts to prove why the vlogger's "critique" is actually plain degradation.

If you think Arslan was actually "criticizing" the team, then you are so wrong because this was clear cut degrading and taunting without keeping up the facts (1/4) #arslannaseer

— r 🐢 | sharis brainrot ♡ (@anaaribakri) March 10, 2022

Arslan first cemented his place in the world of entertainment through YouTube with his comic analysis on social issues and topics. He then ventured into acting as a profession with the 2021 Danish Nawaz directorial Chupke Chupke alongside Ayeza Khan, Osman Khalid Butt and Aymen Saleem in pivotal roles.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.