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Sarfaraz Ahmed stands out in a white kurta while meeting the Queen of England
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Sarfaraz Ahmed stands out in a white kurta while meeting the Queen of England

In a sea of suits, be like Pakistan's cricket captain.
Images Staff
Updated 30 May, 2019

The ICC World Cup 2019 is finally here and cricket fever is officially in the air.

All captains of the participating teams met with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace before the opening ceremony; all the other men were suited and booted (hey there, Virat Kohli!) but Pakistan's captain, Sarfaraz Ahmed stood out.

In a sea of suits, Pakistan's cricket captain stood out
In a sea of suits, Pakistan's cricket captain stood out

The man wore a white shalwar kameez with a green blazer with a star brooch (the team's official jacket) instead. Now that's what we're talking about. Pakistan represent!

Even the Queen looks pleased to meet him:

Massive respect to the captain for sticking to our traditional attire; he's won our hearts, now bring on the trophy!

Pakistan will play their first on the second match of the tournament against West Indies on Friday, May 31, 2019 at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge

Comments

Iskander Gilani May 30, 2019 11:28am
Beautiful attire to show his love
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N K Ali May 30, 2019 11:32am
There is no heroism or patriotism in wearing shalwar kameez before the Queen. He should have come out smartly dressed in a coat, trousers and tie like the other captains. Respect the customs and law of the land and present a smart and decent outlook. Salams
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Chingez Khan May 30, 2019 11:33am
Great, Proud to be a Pakistani.
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Simple Logic May 30, 2019 11:33am
Nothing against the national dress or patriotism but in every sport there is a dress code. Will he wear the Pakistan colours in a test match ? No, because the code requires a white kit. Why should we impose our patriotism on everyone else ? There are many other ways of showing your love for your country, without disrespecting others, which is what he has done here.
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aslam shaikh May 30, 2019 11:37am
For once, I appreciate Pakistan captain.
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Subhi May 30, 2019 11:43am
National dress has a pride but since cricket is game of Englishmen's one needs to attire as per the occasion and the theme. Sarfaraz stood out but undoubtedly ODD Man out of the many.
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Ashfaq May 30, 2019 11:47am
Wow! One must not forget the Identity.
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Gordon D. Walker May 30, 2019 11:47am
Looking good. Looking proud! Kudos. Gordon D. Walker Canada
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Saddique Ahmed May 30, 2019 11:50am
It’s must be great honour for Sarfaraz to meet her majesty. I have lots of respect for him. Now please please Pakistani public leave him alone and let him get on with his work. He does not need to prove anything any more. I think each player has to stand up and play to his potential and deliver.
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Hamed Quraishi May 30, 2019 11:59am
Very good!
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Amy May 30, 2019 12:45pm
Good to acknowledge and appreciate small things that can make big difference . A pleasant piece. Thanks
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Prof L. H. Zaidi (London) May 30, 2019 12:53pm
What a pleasent and emotional seen. IK -PM on the world scene greeting and meeting greatest to normal leaders of the world in national dress, here my team captain shaking hand and conversing with the queen of England in national dress, truly a moments of pride and joy. Alhamdoo-lil-lah, change is there for all to see and hear, except the blind and deaf. likes of Zardari, Nawaz brothers and their stooges + perhaps lifafa journalists. Representing its nation, is the greatest honour a person can have (achieve). Long Live Pakistan.
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Farrukh Arshad May 30, 2019 01:00pm
Very appreciative.
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Sameer May 30, 2019 01:01pm
Absolutely gorgeous. Very smart Sarfaraz. Imran's dressing catching up for all th right reasons.
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Hamayou May 30, 2019 01:26pm
It is good to see to take pride in our national dress ,sarfaraz you have made me proud keep up
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FM May 30, 2019 01:34pm
Looking good in national clothes. Lets also look good in sports.
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helping hands May 30, 2019 01:43pm
Yayyy to the captian. Hope he and the team stands out at the tournament too. Amen!
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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan May 30, 2019 02:01pm
Sarfaraz Ahmed you always make us proud. Great leader and a humble person. All the best to Sarfraz Ahmed's Pakistan team.
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Jehengir khan May 30, 2019 02:01pm
There is nothing wrong to wear a traditional dress....I must admit his body language is very weak...
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HashBrown® May 30, 2019 02:36pm
This was a very proud moment for me too. I might have doubts about him as a captain, but to see him standing apart from everyone else in his national attire was wonderful. Great move Mr Ahmed. I couldn't care less about the queen's opinion!
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Citizen May 30, 2019 02:41pm
Do in Rome as the Romans do.. he should hav worn formal suit like the rest
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Geelis Alwar May 30, 2019 02:49pm
Good for him! Don’t understand the big deal though..can wear as desired if no dress code! Good luck, you will need it!
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Handa May 30, 2019 03:00pm
Not a proper dress for the occasion. Perhaps that is why he is in the back.
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HashBrown® May 30, 2019 03:04pm
@Simple Logic "There are many other ways of showing your love for your country, without disrespecting others, which is what he has done here." So by that logic, every person who wears a suit or a t-shirt and jeans in Pakistan is being disrespectful? He is Pakistani, he is representing Pakistan at the highest sporting level. He did the right thing.
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A M May 30, 2019 03:08pm
There is a dress code for all occasions .What Sarfraz wore was not appropriate and rather insulting to the queen.Moreover Shalwar Khamees is not a National dress of Pakistan. Would he be wicket keeping in his National dresss at the opening match of the World Cup to show his pride of being a Pakistani and appear equally ridiculous.?
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HashBrown® May 30, 2019 03:09pm
@Subhi "National dress has a pride but since cricket is game of Englishmen's one needs to attire as per the occasion and the theme." How sad, that in 70 years we've reached this level of colonial submissiveness. I wonder if this is the way our politicians think as well, which is perhaps why Pakistan suffers so much internationally. Cricket stopped being an Englishman's game a long, long time ago - and even if it still was, does that mean all other teams should try to mimic the English? This kind of spineless self-loathing makes me so upset and angry.
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J May 30, 2019 03:18pm
That weak handshake says it all..
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Hamed Quraishi May 30, 2019 03:22pm
@N K Ali your statement is beyond my comprehension! I doubt that British captain will wear Pakistani dress when meeting the president of Pakistan.
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Farsheed Zakir May 30, 2019 03:31pm
@ N K ALI. Why do u think one can't be 'smartly dressed' in a shalwar kurta?
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Afi May 30, 2019 03:59pm
@N K Ali regret that you have such low regards for our national dress. Our dress is by no means inferior. You need to change your assessment.
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Parvez May 30, 2019 04:08pm
Cool ...... he was both dapper and stood out.
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khabboo May 30, 2019 04:19pm
@N K Ali "Respect the customs and law of the land and present a smart and decent outlook. Salams". There is no law saying that he can't wear Shalwar Kamiz. Just because others wore suits, doesn't mean he has to.
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Reddy May 30, 2019 04:29pm
It’s a English pastime game that they all are playing . There is no need to show your ethnicity on that platform, you certainly wouldn’t be allowed to wear a kurtha to a game.
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chymera May 30, 2019 04:33pm
@NK Ali, It is neither a law or custom that one has to wear trousers and a coat to meet the Queen. Are you saying being in Shalwar Kameez is not being smartly dressed? Respect to the Captain.
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Jen May 30, 2019 04:34pm
@N K Ali Clearly Sarfaraz has broken out of the colonial slave mentality, but you have not.
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HashBrown® May 30, 2019 05:29pm
@A M "What Sarfraz wore was not appropriate and rather insulting to the queen." Wow. Not even the English themselves are as obedient to the queen as you are. How exactly was it insulting? This is the NATIONAL ATTIRE of Pakistan. These comments have shown me how deeply rooted our colonial insecurities are - we're almost as bad as the Hindustanis.
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Nasser May 30, 2019 05:32pm
@N K Ali you may not know this. In thr UK you can wear anything as long as it does not break the law. It is a far fairer society than ours.
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Zulfiqar May 30, 2019 05:50pm
@J that’s how everyone shakes hands with the queen. Read about the etiquette of haling hands with the queen. Research before criticizing
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Haris May 30, 2019 06:20pm
This is not a black tie or a white tie event given what others have worn. In fact, the dress Pakistani captain has worn was an accepted formal dress in gatherings even back in the time. So I think calling it "disrespectful" is ignorance of people who don't know much about British culture.
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Mishayl May 30, 2019 06:49pm
@N K Ali Very silly comment - as per usual you show your inferiority and colonial thinking
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Mishayl May 30, 2019 06:50pm
@Simple Logic there is no dress code - you are mistaken
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Mishayl May 30, 2019 06:52pm
@A M You are mistaken - there is no code. Let's not fall for the same colonial thinking time and time again
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Ashar May 30, 2019 06:56pm
@N K Ali it is not about heroism , it is all about be who you are , speak what you stand for not what others like to hear. He made all of us proud by wearing a very elegant dress, hopefully one day you can also make your country proud
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Abdul Wadood May 30, 2019 07:06pm
@N K Ali Respect when you wear a suit.. hahaha Sarfraz earned more respect in eyes of pakistani nation by wearing shalwar qameez.. and queen didn't mind at all about his appearance..
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Anon May 30, 2019 07:41pm
@N K Ali People don't have to be in suit and tie to meet the queen. The national attire of the person's country is also considered perfectly appropriate. Read up a little and then you'll know.
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Ekramul Majid May 30, 2019 09:02pm
I am a professional in the United States. Many times, I appear at official functions, even in the presence of my organization's president and other higher-ups, in kurta and shalwar. Nobody has the guts to say anything to me. Moreover, they love my attire. Also, a majority of my American colleagues comes to work in shorts, t-shirts, and sandals--especially in the summer. Criticism of Sarfaraz's attire is a reflection of our suck-up mentality to white people. They are men and women like you and me. Also, remember the mistreatment they meted out to us during their colonial rule. If they gave us cricket, so be it. We have given the West many things as well. Where is their respect for us?
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SFZ May 30, 2019 09:13pm
@N K mental slave of colonialism you are - forever
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Neo May 30, 2019 09:31pm
@N K Ali Why. He is representing Pakistan not England.
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Anonymous May 30, 2019 09:36pm
@N K Ali - I wonder if you would recommend the foreigners coming into Pakistan to wear the Pakistani dresses to respect the culture!
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Neo May 30, 2019 09:36pm
@Simple Logic . What code are you on about. Do foreign players wear kameez shalwar or sherwani when in Pakistan or India. Hardly. We are no longer a colony and should get out of inferior complex.
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Karachi wala May 30, 2019 09:53pm
I guess next, entire Pakistan team will take the field against West Indies in Shalwar Kameez.......
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Saeeds May 30, 2019 09:58pm
@Ekramul Majid You said people not agree with sarfraz attire are suck up mentality of white people . I'm sure anyone agree with you moved to western countries or waiting for there visa to go white people countries. No wonder people there now know true faces of immigrants. Be part of society don't divide it
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Hafeez May 30, 2019 10:17pm
@N K Ali hat a ptriosim you show, Gulamana Zahain ka follower, every one like his on dress, why shout stick on nglish dres, better our leaders whenver attend any dfunctions orvisit foreign visit should be in our National address.Why we should think our selve infierior. Well done Sarfraz you show other to follow.
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Faisal May 30, 2019 10:47pm
@N K Ali. Will you advise the same to the queen or western leaders and celebrities who visit Pakistan? Will you advise them to wear shalwar qamees and respect our traditions as they are on our land? Most important, will they follow your advice?
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Zeeshan Qureshi May 30, 2019 10:50pm
@N K Ali Well he's presenting his country on a world stage, why should he have to wear the old colonial dress code like the others? Why not show we have an identity as an independent nation?
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Adil May 30, 2019 10:52pm
Well done, Sarfraz! Nothing wrong in dressing the way you did. When Gandhi met the King of England he was not wearing a suit and a tie!! He did not cause any offence to anyone.No one has complained from Buckingham Palace..
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M. Emad May 30, 2019 11:31pm
Kurta not a smart dress.
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Ayesha May 30, 2019 11:37pm
I'm sorry I don't think he really stood out in any positive way. It looks like he is wearing scruffy pyjamas with a blazer on top. Not at all smart.
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Ayesha May 30, 2019 11:37pm
@N K Ali , fully agree.
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N. Rahim, Toronto May 30, 2019 11:54pm
@Handa There are 5 other people at the back, in case you haven't noticed!
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Sohail May 30, 2019 11:58pm
@N K Ali Shalwar Kameez is as decent as any pant, coat and tie, stop corrupting your mind with preset standards.
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Farhan Shaikh May 31, 2019 12:29am
@N K Ali brother kurta is 1000times better the the suit..A men looks far much better in it.
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Ahmed May 31, 2019 12:32am
While in Rome do as the Romans do.
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N R May 31, 2019 12:36am
He is representing his country, not the Queen’s country, that is my opinion.
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Adnan A May 31, 2019 01:06am
Great dress , proud of him
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Veer Singh May 31, 2019 01:07am
Stands out? More like standing in a corner.
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Aamna May 31, 2019 01:10am
You can be smartly dressed in a shalwar kamiz. I don't understand the colonialist logic where you have to don a suit to look professional. Don't enforce your slavish mentality on others. When Indian actresses wear saris on international platforms these same Pakistanis finding Sarfaraz's shalwar kamiz unprofessional, do not label them the same. At least have the decency to not be on a lookout to bash the captain of your team for representing his culture in England. Shalwar kamiz represents millions of Pakistanis and to some it might not be 'patriotic', but to most Pakistanis, he's showing how proud he is of his cultural heritage.
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IDK May 31, 2019 01:18am
@Subhi since when is it a game for Englishmen. Ask someone in England, ask anyone in Australia or South Africa or the Caribbean and the most fanatical fans you will find in Pakistan and India. And yes there is a particular sports attire for this game but that only takes effect once the player has crossed the boundary. There is nothing wrong or disrespectful to others when you wear such dress. In fact, this being a world cup might be the ideal time to showcase the culture of the participating countries.
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wsyed May 31, 2019 01:23am
He should have worn a suitable cricket outfit and not regional costume. One should stand out by performance and not be different for the sake of different. All the other captains were dressed in a modern western accepted attire. Why be the odd man out, Pakistan does not have a reason to stand on. Sarfraz looks embarrassing at best.
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Ali May 31, 2019 01:31am
Who cares what he wears, his and the team's performance matters.
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waleed memon May 31, 2019 01:35am
He should have put appropriate dress.. wearing shalimar qamis doesn't make any sense.
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Salman May 31, 2019 02:13am
Good luck boy, you're looking so charming and good looking in the dress you wear, would be great if you have worn ' Jinnah Cap 'on it , but this looks Ok ... Pakistan Zindabad
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Asad May 31, 2019 02:23am
Excellent. Be yourself, be Pakistani where ever you are.
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xizer May 31, 2019 02:55am
@chymera Shalwar kurta is not smart-however, a formal sherwani is. He should have worn that!
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Manaaal Khurram May 31, 2019 03:08am
@N K Ali, there is no shame in wearing your countries national dress instead I find it quite pleasing he stood out showed courage, passion, patriotism for his country which is Pakistan.
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A. M. Khawar May 31, 2019 03:09am
Sarfraz represented himself, the team and Pakistan dressed with a white shalwar kameez with a green blazer. That is one way of saying I am comfortable inside my skin to represent my culture. A display of self-respect! Well done Captain! Way to go
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Anonymouseee May 31, 2019 03:15am
Excellent work by Sarfaraz. He looked the most handsome. Best of luck team GREEN.
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MA May 31, 2019 03:40am
Remember how the first Pakistani dressed - M.A Jinnah. He's is our model, a successful man! Listen guys Pakistan was actually blessed at the start w/o a Qaumi dress and Language. We have made these things up. Pakistan has regional dresses and regional languages. Professional dress of Pakistan worn by men is suit pants and by women is pants and a shirt. Although there was a time they wore long dresses and skirts w/o harassment. Suit Pants is the way our founder presented himself professionally. Mr. Captain is a professional he should dress like one. What is this Shalwar Kameez and a suit jacket combo? Brits are nice enough not to say anything he could have met Queen in shorts for all she cares.
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GIRISH KHILNANI May 31, 2019 03:51am
Indians are bosses around the world so they get to sit in chair front row... PAKISTANIS are labourer around the world so they stand behind like guard
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Noor May 31, 2019 04:10am
Pakistan always the odd man out. If you want to be seated next to queen you better wear a tie, otherwise you go at back, hopefully nobody’ notice you.
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Hemantkumar May 31, 2019 04:47am
Jaisa Desh vaisa Bhesh. Sarfraz should have weared coat,pant,tie and boots. I know Pakistan is a great cricket playing nation.
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Just Saying May 31, 2019 05:05am
If his Cricketing does not work out, he can always go into politics. The selectors in politics are always looking for fresh talent, no experience necessary.
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ZAHID ABBASI May 31, 2019 05:18am
Don't we think our PM has given us this STAND! Thankyou IK.
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Gulzar May 31, 2019 05:49am
You think all others were nuts that they came in suits. Sarfraz is more nationalist than others? He should have flown with the tide instead of trying to project his natiolism.
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Ashish Kumar May 31, 2019 06:13am
Good to see Sarfaraz in Indian dress. Seems to be a politician in the making. Could he be towards the end of his cricketing career?
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Ali May 31, 2019 08:24am
We are proud of you captain
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Azhar Jamil May 31, 2019 11:47am
Dress doesn't matter, but values matter. And being simple and straightforward in national dress is an absolute value. Proud to be a Pakistani.
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Secular Pathan May 31, 2019 02:08pm
So now we will be patriots if we wear shalwar kameez in front of the Queen? what kind of nonsense is this. I do not agree with his choice, what is there to be proud of?
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Laila May 31, 2019 04:18pm
He can wear what he likes, but i would have to opted for a suit and tie like the rest. If you really want to nitpick then most if not all of our culture stems from hindu and indian culture including barat ki rasm, living with the husband and his family after marriage, and yes even our "national" clothes. Just saying.
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srini May 31, 2019 04:44pm
The original. kudos. Like it. cant understand people criticizing him.
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Pakistani May 31, 2019 04:53pm
He made us proud. Thanks Sarfaraz.
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HashBrown® May 31, 2019 07:45pm
@MA "Remember how the first Pakistani dressed - M.A Jinnah. He's is our model, a successful man!" Wrong example brother. MA Jinnah was educated and trained in the UK - western attire was very much a part of his upbringing. Furthermore, he wasn't scared to stand out politically, and he fearlessly defied the Viceroy to represent the will of Indian Muslims. If we truly followed his example, nobody here would he submissively complaining about Sarfaraz's decision to stand out and represent his country - they would be confident and secure enough to give him their full support. Sadly, however, in the hearts and minds of many Pakistanis, the white-skinned British are still ruling with an iron fist.
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Biryani Munda May 31, 2019 08:57pm
Salutations from across the border ! Nothing wrong in wearing our national dress.
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PT Jun 01, 2019 08:01am
Sarfaraz dressed well, looked good, embraced culture of our sub continent , is confident enough to wear what he is most comfortable with. There is no reason for making any changes or concessions for the queen.
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Arif Jun 01, 2019 11:09pm
He looked sloppy, specially with the see through vest, not even placed in the middle. If he wanted to wear something different, he could have worn a sherwani
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Mayank Jun 01, 2019 11:45pm
There is a famous saying, "in rome do as roman do" . You are in England so let them give the feel that you are respecting their customs.
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Devinder S Chohan Jun 02, 2019 06:01am
He looks ridicules in that attire.Odd man out.Shame
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Sam Jun 03, 2019 09:03am
Our captain, what an odd ball, looks like coming from a poor country. When are we going to learn to be modern and create better image. He should play with shalwar kameez to uphold our so called tradition.
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test Khan Jun 03, 2019 10:52am
I love if Indian skipper also wear indian dress. many people tolled pak captain. I support pak captain. i would ask other whether queen will wear pak dress or indian dress if she visit our country?
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Moiz Jun 04, 2019 05:06am
My Observations: 1. You tie the top button not the bottom one. 2. There's nothing Pakistani about a blazer. 3, He was wearing Western shoes (and socks) while trying to make a statement.
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ZULFIQAR ALI Jun 04, 2019 02:34pm
well done Sarfraz. Great job done. At least you don't complexes, as some people have displayed by criticizing the dress.
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