Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez has sparked controversy after meeting Dr. Zakir Naik, a globally renowned Islamic preacher.
Dr. Naik, who was in Pakistan late last year, has been the subject of many controversies. He was criticised heavily for his opinion on unmarried women and marriages.
Hafeez shared pictures from their meeting on social media, prompting widespread criticism. Hafeez posted, “Pleasure meeting with Zakir Naik,” alongside images of them together, including one at a restaurant.
Pleasure meeting with @drzakiranaik pic.twitter.com/nUkWpQxZsX
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) March 7, 2025
The post was met with strong reactions online, with many questioning his decision to meet Naik.
One social media user wrote “This is one of the reasons why the Indian cricket team and the Indian government do not want to come to Pakistan.”
And they say India doesn’t play in Pakistan. When you welcome and cherish a designated terrorist then India will play in Pakistan? Well done @JayShah not sending Indian team to Pakistan.
— Devender Yadav (@DevenderYadav05) March 7, 2025
Most of the criticism came from Indian nationals. Dr. Naik is currently wanted by Indian authorities on charges of alleged money laundering and inciting extremism. The controversy also reignited discussions around India’s refusal to play in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
This is the one of the reasons why India cricket team and Indian government does want to come to Pakistan…
— Ok google (@rcd1018) March 7, 2025
He is fugitive from the indian police 👮
Some also pointed out Hafeez’s recent remarks on Pakistan’s 1990s cricket team, where he claimed they left no lasting legacy due to their failure to win multiple ICC tournaments.
Many took this as an opportunity to blast Hafeez for his criticism, with one user writing "90s legends zindabad. How many World Cups have you won for Pakistan, sir?"
90s legands zindabad how many WCPS you won for Pakistan sir #ChampionsTrophy2025
— 𝐒𝐀𝐁𝐀 𝐍𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍 (@sabz80_) March 7, 2025
Referencing his recent criticism, another user remarked “No wonder why your cricket is going down the drain.”
No wonder Your cricket 🏏 is going down the drain
— Pradeep Rawat🇮🇳 (@ThePradeepRawat) March 7, 2025
Hafeez recently criticised Pakistan’s past cricket stars, stating, “They didn’t win an ICC event – they lost the World Cups of 1996, 1999 and 2003. We reached one final (1999) and lost badly.”
His comments were met with mixed reactions, with former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar responding, “These 73 one-dayers that Pakistan won against India, it is us who won it.”
The controversy surrounding Hafeez’s meeting with Naik continues to dominate discussions, with many questioning the timing of the post amid ongoing cricketing and political tensions.
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