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People aren't impressed with Shoaib Akhtar's comments on Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma's marriage

People aren't impressed with Shoaib Akhtar's comments on Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma's marriage

The former cricketer said if he were Kohli, he wouldn't have gotten married and focused on making runs instead.
25 Jan, 2022

Former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has done it again — he's made a comment that has ticked people off. This time, the subject of his inane comments were Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and Bollywood star Anushka Sharma. The athlete made a comment about their marriage and said if it were him he wouldn't have married so early into his career.

Fans of the couple have been calling him out online and asking him to keep out of Kohli's personal life.

This isn't the first time Akhtar has been called out for his irresponsible remarks. Many Pakistani celebrities had something to say after the cricketer criticised singer Naseebo Lal for PSL's anthem in 2021.

The former cricketer told Indian publication ANI that "Kohli didn't leave captaincy but was forced to do so. This is not the best of times for him but he needs to prove what he is made of. Is he made of steel or iron? Virat captained for six or seven years and I was never in favour his captaincy, I just wanted him to keep scoring 100, 120 runs and keep the focus on his batting."

He believed that the 33-year-old cricketer, who just resigned from India's Test captaincy, should've focused on making runs and records for 10 or 12 more years instead of settling down.

"I would have not even married if I were in his place. I had just scored runs and enjoyed cricket, these 10 to 12 years of cricket are different time and doesn't come again, I am not saying getting married is wrong but if you are playing for India, you would have enjoyed a time a little and wouldn't divide the responsibility," said Akhtar. Thankfully, he's not Virat Kohli because it seems very clear that Akhtar has little concept of work and personal life boundaries.

Players can be great while having being married — having a family hasn't stopped anyone from performing their best. It's rather sad that Akhtar doesn't understand that.

Fans of both Kohli and Sharma took no time to respond to Akhtar's inane statement. One Twitter user wrote that "most successful men are married," and that the former bowler shouldn't blame one's marriage for their performance on the field.

One user said agreed that Akhtar needs to "mind his own business and stop entering peoples bedroom/privacy."

Another was less kind and said Pakistanis are fed up of his useless statements.

Some fans of the Indian stars called out the former athlete for blaming the wife for her husband's failures. Why in the world would it be her fault anyway?

One user rightly pointed out that people keeping blaming players' personal lives for their on field performances. "There are many other issues because of what one performance can't be good 'inside cricket politics'. No one has a right to drag Virat Kohli personal life into this," they wrote.

Akhtar's comments came right after Sharma and Kohli issued statements asking for media outlets and social media pages to remove pictures of their daughter Vamika.

We hope Akhtar is taking stock of the reaction to his comments and realising that commenting on anyone's personal life isn't okay. Comment on a player's performance and athleticism if you must, but why are you dragging their family into it? If Akhtar decided not to marry while he played cricket, that was his decision, but it isn't mandatory for players to give up their personal lives for cricket.

Comments

ST Jan 25, 2022 05:51pm
Shoib Akhtar is nuts. Marraige brings maturity and intellect to a person. What is he talking about!
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Citizen Jan 25, 2022 06:00pm
This is height of immaturity by Shoaib Akhtar
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Taj Ahmad Jan 25, 2022 06:10pm
Beautiful couple stay happy, stay united live longer.
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Asif Jan 25, 2022 06:35pm
Shoaib Akhtar does it again!
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Nads Jan 25, 2022 06:42pm
The wrong kind of spouse can ruin ones professional and personal life….that’s true!
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Jamil Soomro, New York City Jan 25, 2022 06:43pm
Shoaib should think before opening his mouth. His irresponsible comment can create an immense mis- understanding between Virat and Anushka who are already married with a child. Marriage is a serious matter. " Aur Bhi Gham Hain Zamane Mein Cricket Ke Siwa. ".
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Samudra Jan 25, 2022 07:02pm
Just his way of staying in news. Create controversy. Shoaib is slowly becoming the mia khalifa, rakhi sawant and kardashians of cricket world.
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RIAZ ULLAH BAIG Jan 25, 2022 07:27pm
Why should this news make it to Dawn?
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well-wisher Jan 25, 2022 07:32pm
Akhtar, that is why you are not VK the great sportsman. MYOBB and let VK shine in love.
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Nomi Jan 25, 2022 07:35pm
He didn’t mean this. People sre crazy
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Jo Original Jan 25, 2022 07:36pm
Shoib Akhtar is winding Kholi
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maan Jan 25, 2022 07:47pm
He never blamed Anushka, he just said that it was his opinion that he should not increase his responsibility while on his peak. We people just need some spice to burn something.
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Zaib Jan 25, 2022 08:03pm
He is absolutely right
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Pak Khan Jan 25, 2022 08:05pm
Shoaib got married late but he was still not performing before it! People like him and Shahid Afridi should never have been the part of Pak team.
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jaredlee007 Jan 25, 2022 08:14pm
Shoaib should have explained his opinion. Perhaps, he is right in some ways that Virta's attention got divided after marriage, which is quite natural for professional women and men when they get married.
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Khwaja shirjeel Jan 25, 2022 08:30pm
There he goes again, the know all philosopher.
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Ali asaf Jan 25, 2022 08:31pm
Shoaeb, watch your mouth...
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Sheraz Ali Rizvi Jan 25, 2022 08:31pm
After getting married man lose their energy and it’s reality. So why making fuss. It mean in India there is no man
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KASH Jan 25, 2022 08:33pm
Rawalpindi express has derailed again
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M. Emad 2 Dhaka Jan 25, 2022 08:34pm
Shoaib is right. Kohli’s career is down hill and he was forced to resign from captaincy. He should have focused on regaining his stature for the next couple of years before settling down. What was the rush? He was living with her anyways!
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Ahsan Gul Jan 25, 2022 08:46pm
Shoaib’s comments are more than appropriate. Sad that who do not understand must read again. Sincerely
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jan 25, 2022 08:51pm
Shoaib Akhtar is 100 percent right.
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Expat(usa) Jan 25, 2022 09:20pm
I don't follow cricket closely but to me he looks a very shallow individual.
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gt Jan 25, 2022 09:23pm
He should not be comment other persons life.
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Black Fungus Jan 25, 2022 09:57pm
Shoab Akhtar and his opinions. But I guess that’s the Asian way.
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Masood Jan 25, 2022 10:20pm
Who cares about his comments !!! Marriage counselor????
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John Jan 25, 2022 11:29pm
Akhtar trying to create more rifts between India and Pakistan. Already fragile.
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M. Saeed Jan 25, 2022 11:53pm
Shoaib should have talked about fast bowlers, who burn their strength and finish their speed career fast. Kohli is a batsman and different material all together.
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Ahmed Tariq Jan 26, 2022 12:04am
Shoaib is right playing for a country is not a small thing one should concentrate on one thing when millions of people look up to u it's a different thing n personal life is nothing then
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AH Jan 26, 2022 12:05am
What is the fuss here. He is giving his opinion.
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Truth Jan 26, 2022 12:10am
Shoaib has offered his frank and personal opinion, but a bit too late.
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Mani Jan 26, 2022 01:20am
He’s speaking from his experience and clearly says how he would have done things.
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Bala Jan 26, 2022 01:25am
I stand with Shoib on this. I think his comments were misunderstood. He meant Virat should have taken cricket more seriously and should have the urge to achive more. what Virat did is compromised to settle even before achiving.
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Aruj Jan 26, 2022 01:31am
Did he make those comments in his fake accent?
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Sam Jan 26, 2022 01:53am
@ST Yes he is.
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Zulfiqar Jan 26, 2022 02:01am
Shoaib just being Shoaib. Louder than an empty vessel
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Zulfiqar Jan 26, 2022 02:03am
@Expat(usa) he doesn’t only look shallow, he is!
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M. Emad Jan 26, 2022 04:23am
Irresponsible Comment.
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Faisal Rafique Jan 26, 2022 04:43am
He knows the art of staying in the news.
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gt Jan 26, 2022 05:13am
This man has lost his mind.
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Zeeshan Ahmed Jan 26, 2022 05:24am
The old man has no class.
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Murli Jan 26, 2022 06:43am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Your Opinion and Shoaib "Birds of the same feather Flock together"
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Pakistani Jan 26, 2022 07:13am
Shoaib is 100% right if Kohli was not married he would have been even more dangerous and aggressive like he used to be. I remember his 183 runs against Pakistan that was aggressive and ruthless. Anushka brought feelings in him and softening. He should have avoided marriage for another 5 years.
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Hanna Jan 26, 2022 07:19am
@Samudra no he's actually become Imran Khan and sheikh Rasheed of the cricket world,next thing we know,he'll become a politician here
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Fastrack 2.0 Jan 26, 2022 07:49am
Shoaib is actually correct.
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Yadav Jan 26, 2022 08:06am
I wonder when Shoaib will get mature?
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FAZ Jan 26, 2022 08:29am
Its all "to stay in the news and ratings" matter folks. Ignore. A cricket expert now becoming a relationship guru?
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Aam aadami Jan 26, 2022 08:31am
Shoaib Akhtar is right. 1. Kholi has changed his mindset. He is more into securing his future e.g. investing in media, producing movies, real estate and so on. Anushka has made him think beyond cricket. 2. His energy is shared! He puts a lot of effort at night on the bed. This means that priorities has changed and his passion is divided.
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Observer101 Jan 26, 2022 09:10am
Marriage and child may be a distraction from commitment to game.
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Moiz Habib Jan 26, 2022 09:15am
Shaob Akhtar is a simple man of few words and he said it like he thought. Women do demand attention and if that is comming at a cost of your batting performance then 1 billion people have a problem, NOT just Shoaib Akhtar :)
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Aruj Jan 26, 2022 09:42am
First of all, he needs to get rid of his fake accent.
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Pakistani Jan 26, 2022 11:14am
THE TRUTH IS...Pakistan ended Kohli’s career in ODI and T20 with record defeats in major ICC tournaments.
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Anonymouseee Jan 26, 2022 12:35pm
It’s called “freedom of speech. Shoaib has every right to speak his mind. These crying/complaining Indians need to grow up and move on.
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Dev Jan 26, 2022 02:31pm
Shoaib should refrain from making comments which come under someones personal domain.
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Achakzai Jan 26, 2022 02:38pm
@Pak Khan wonder what his performance is in the marriage, getting in the wedlock after 40
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Mac Jan 26, 2022 02:57pm
I think that Shoeb comments are being total taken out of context. He said that if he was in his place, he would have not married, he didn't say that Virat should not have gotten married....he made a general remarks and quite sure what he was speaking....
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Fayzan Fayyaz Mirza Jan 26, 2022 03:55pm
This is the problem of sensational journalism. All Shoaib Akhtar said was that in his opinion he wouldn't have wanted VK to get married and continued focusing on his career and performance. He even said that it's a personal decision. But we only want to focus on the negative. Forget it, move on. If everyone has a right to express their opinions they can. He didn't say that it's his downfall.
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AJ Jan 26, 2022 04:02pm
Shoaib just needed to garner more views. Quite foolish to take him seriously.
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Syed Hasni Jan 26, 2022 08:27pm
I think people are just being harsh on Shoaib, he is known for comments like these, which he calls them controversial rather absurd. Actually he has difficulty expressing himself. He is just trying to say that Anushka should not have married Virat , instead should have married him. Better luck next time Shoaib!
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Vercingetorix Jan 27, 2022 07:30pm
I can't believe I am supporting Shoaib Akhtar , but he did say it was Kohli's personal decision. Everyone is blowing off their tops for nothing.
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aslam Jan 27, 2022 11:30pm
Only Pakistani players comment on others.
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I love u Pakistan Jan 28, 2022 01:57am
I have never liked Shoaib Akhtar but now I like him even less, didn't think that was possible.
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I love u Pakistan Jan 28, 2022 01:58am
@Jamil Soomro, New York City I doubt anyone takes him seriously, if they do then they have bigger problems than their marriage.
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