![Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-105234217,width-300,height-225,imgsize-27692,resizemode-75/amitabh-bachchan-and-aishwarya-rai.jpg)
Razzaq's comments sparked widespread criticism, leading him to publicly apologize to Aishwarya Rai. In a video clip, the former Pakistani cricketer said, "I apologize to her personally. I did not intend to hurt anyone's sentiment. I did not intend to take her name as an example."
Many former Pakistani cricketers, including Shoaib Akhtar, expressed their disapproval of Razzaq's remarks during a press conference, saying in a post: "No woman should be disrespected like this. People seated beside him should have raised their voice right away rather than laughing and clapping."
After hearing Razzaq's comments, Shoaib Akhtar called up Shahid Afridi, who was also present at the event where the reference to Aishwarya Rai was made. Akhtar revealed that Afridi genuinely did not understand what was said at the time, but he has since condemned the comments on TV and in private conversations.
During the press conference, Razzaq made the controversial statement while discussing Pakistan's performance in the World Cup and the Pakistan Cricket Board. He criticized the board's lack of focus on player development, using a metaphor involving Aishwarya Rai.
Abdul Razzaq's comments received heavy backlash from netizens, who not only criticized him but also former cricketers Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul for not objecting to his remarks.
Shahid Afridi later on a TV show said that it was not a proper comment and "I will message Razzaq to apologize. I am sure he will."
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