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Cricket journalist's 'joke' triggers an angry outburst from Sarfaraz Ahmed on Twitter

Cricket journalist's 'joke' triggers an angry outburst from Sarfaraz Ahmed on Twitter

The cricketer did not find her reference to a controversial past incident all that funny.
31 Aug, 2021

Sarfaraz Ahmed was not too thrilled at a joke recently made by a cricket journalist on Twitter. The cricketer and former captain of Pakistan's cricket team posted a startlingly angry reply when cricket journalist Aalia Rasheed tweeted a quip aimed at Ahmed, referencing a controversial incident from his time as team captain.

It all started when Ahmed's wife — Khushbakht Sarfaraz — posted an adorable video of her husband baking his special 'Sarfaraz Ahmed pasta'. The video showed Ahmed putting pasta dishes into the oven while wearing his oven mitts inside out.

The video proved to be quite the hit on social media. Ahmed's buddies and fellow cricket players Shadab Khan and Hassan Ali couldn't get enough of the video either. They posted replies on the video, teasing the former captain and his wife about Ahmed's cooking adventures.

"You've put our captain to work as soon as he came back home bhabi," Khan joked in his tweet.

Ali asked the captain to tell him the secret to his cooking talent.

Khan cheekily posted another reply, asking the former captain to treat him and Ali to tea he had prepared himself.

This is when cricket journalist Rasheed jumped into the conversation and made a joke. "Bro take it easy! You're asking him to make tea when him giving away water created such a storm," she replied.

Rasheed's little quip did not sit well with Ahmed at all. "We're talking about something else here and yet you're saying something completely different. First of all, you should not be part of this conversation at all, this isn't about cricket. It would be better if you kept your opinion to the game and did not force yourself into a personal conversation," the cricketer replied.

Rasheed seemed quite alarmed by Ahmed's reply, after which she tweeted to clarify that it had only been a joke.

Talk about a strong reaction. Rasheed's joke referenced the controversy stirred up during a Pakistan versus England match in 2020. Pictures of Ahmed bringing water to the field had gone viral for all the wrong reasons on social media, triggering strong protests from Ahmed's fans who stated he deserved to be treated with more respect as a senior player and former team captain.

Ahmed isn't the first Pakistani cricket player to blow up at a journalist's 'joke' on Twitter. Babar Azam lashed out in 2018 to a tweet by journalist Zainab Abbas congratulating him for his performance in a match against New Zealand.

It seems like neither player likes jokes at their expense on Twitter. Do you think Ahmed's reaction to the joke was justified?

Comments

Asim Aug 31, 2021 06:07pm
Yes I do agree with Sarfaraz .... even these journalists need to know that they have a following and they need to lead by e.g. and not make comments that are personal or below the belt. It really was a good shut up call by him.
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Shabnam Aug 31, 2021 06:16pm
Even if it is a misplaced joke, Mr Sarfaraz being a professional must know how to ignore it.
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M Ayyaz Aug 31, 2021 06:22pm
But both of the comments made by 'Sports Journalists' were not in good taste rather cynical
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Rafiq Aug 31, 2021 06:32pm
This was not "just a joke" but below the belt blow.
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Zulfiqar Aug 31, 2021 06:55pm
People who mingle with team players start considering themselves as part of the team and try to buddy up to players. It’s ok to know the players but it’s not ok to comment on inside conversations especially on social media. It will only create uncomfortable situation for all.
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Shahid Syed Aug 31, 2021 06:57pm
@Shabnam well, we don't know the level of frustration he's being going through these days, may be this misplaced joke was enough to disturb the domino of emotions inside him.
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NYS Aug 31, 2021 07:05pm
While you are tweetring ultimately that is a field day Sarfraz Ahmed it's not the matter of survival of the fittest
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H Aug 31, 2021 07:06pm
Wish he would have used 1% of his aggression in cricket.
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UAEismyHOME Aug 31, 2021 07:12pm
Unprofessional journalists
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Ahmed Ali Aug 31, 2021 07:18pm
The best reply to a joke you do not like: simply ignore it.
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Today Aug 31, 2021 07:26pm
What qualifications these so called sports journalists have.. Both r just having a twitter acc n eng language enough qualified
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Salaria Malaria Aug 31, 2021 07:36pm
Empty vessels make most noise
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Tahir Rasheed Aug 31, 2021 07:36pm
Our players must learn how to ignore the things and how to behave with fans that too ladies. Uncalled response by Sarfraz.
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zahid Aug 31, 2021 07:38pm
They are showing immaturity and over-reacting. When you are in the limelight then it goes with the territory, nothing insulting or derogatory was said. Grow up and keep growing dear players.
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Ike Aug 31, 2021 09:32pm
@Shabnam Are those journalists not professionals.
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Asad Khan Aug 31, 2021 09:53pm
I agree with Sarfaraz and back him through Journalist like these, do not know what they are writing. They should be in their limits. Sadly in our world, the journalist have assumed the responsibility to represent the public. They become the voice of the nation, based on their minuscule knowledge of the world. Harsh but true. Everyone should know their limits.
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Efrin Mirza Aug 31, 2021 10:30pm
They shouldn’t be on Twitter if they can’t handle this. Shows how thin-skinned they are.
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Nasir S. Aug 31, 2021 11:32pm
If you want to have a conversation on Twitter expect anything and everyone to join in and say whatever they wish.
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AMER Sep 01, 2021 01:08am
Would likes jokes at your expense on Twitter ?
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MansoorK Sep 01, 2021 02:14am
That joke was indeed in a poor taste. Sarfraz did the right thing by putting her in her place. Journalists in Pakistan, sports or otherwise have no class.
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Zaheer Sep 01, 2021 02:34am
@Shabnam no every body knows safraz well no body can mess with saffi
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Ali Sep 01, 2021 02:37am
Shows how insecure Sarfaraz is
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Madiha Abbas Sep 01, 2021 03:10am
Surprisingly, both comments were made by female "journalists" that lack social skills and situational judgment.
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Ash20 Sep 01, 2021 03:52am
Not justified reaction from Sarfaraz.
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Ash20 Sep 01, 2021 04:00am
Sarfaraz could have tweeted back to have invited journalist for chai at his home.
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Amin arab Sep 01, 2021 04:42am
Joke? Or insult?
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MAQ Sep 01, 2021 06:04am
Absolutely. Alia Rasheed should had been more mindful of her comment.
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Mushtaq Sep 01, 2021 06:18am
Learn to take a joke; you will live longer.... (Anonymous)
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AJ Sep 01, 2021 06:38am
@M Ayyaz and the equally unprofessional cricketers obliged…
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Ed Sep 01, 2021 08:01am
Sarfaraz is a self made, mature and tolerant person. He should learn to ignore worthless has-been journalists who have enjoyed a bit of limelight due to their privileges. Unfortunately the "journalist" on the other hand is incorrigible and does not merit advice.
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Talha Sep 01, 2021 09:54am
Sarfaraz's reply was justified. There was no need to bring out a controversial past incident into something which was personal and related to him and his family. He must still not be feeling good about that incident . People should know how to respect each other's family moments
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Zunaira Sep 01, 2021 10:00am
@Shahid Syed The world doesn't works to make compensations for frustrations of an individual. Journalists make all kinds of comments in the world media but professional sports players nowhere get triggered like that. He needs to be a professional.
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Salman Sep 01, 2021 10:34am
Sarfraz should act mature. When you are on twitter than its not a private conversation since its open for everyone and anyone can have their say. Should had ignored her tweets if it was in bad taste.
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Adeel Sep 01, 2021 11:14am
Sarfraz Ahmed must learn to be patient and should have ignored the Journalist comments....Replying to her itself highlight the issue and made it more prominent to discuss on Social Media as a Fuss.... Smart way is to ignore them and Don't reply as well as avoid making fun of you.
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IMRAN ULLAH AWAN Sep 01, 2021 01:48pm
When you are posting your family videos / pics and personal conversation on social media then in fact you are inviting others to invade your privacy and become a part of your personal life. First of all we should respect our own privacy by not sharing our personal stuff and private conversation on social media, otherwise, such things will happen.
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Naveed Sethi Sethi Sep 02, 2021 04:43pm
Aliya shouldn't have said that, Sarfraz could have ignored it as well.
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Jap Sep 05, 2021 12:39pm
Sarfaraz was right here. Camaraderie with team-mates is fine, but journalists should not step over the line.
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