In a shocking incident during the Pakistan men’s cricket team’s warm-up game against Prime Minister XI in Australia, a racist term appeared on the live score ticker, sparking outrage on social media. The term ‘P**I’ was used instead of ‘PAK,’ causing an immediate uproar due to its derogatory nature towards people from Pakistan and the broader Indian subcontinent.
The controversy came to light when Australian journalist Daany Saeed shared a screenshot of the offensive term on social media, condemning the use of such language. Cricket Australia (CA) quickly responded with a clarification, stating that the graphic was an automatic feed from a data provider not previously used for Pakistan games. The error was rectified manually once discovered, and CA expressed regret over the incident.
Pakistan skipper Shan Masood outshined in the warm-up game
Despite the controversy, the focus also shifted to the ongoing warm-up match, where Pakistan captain Shan Masood showcased his leadership and batting prowess. Winning the toss, Masood opted to bat first and went on to score a remarkable double hundred on the second day of the match. While opener Abdullah Shafique contributed with 36 runs, Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed played significant innings of 40 and 41 runs, respectively.
The innings proved to be a confidence booster for Captain Masood ahead of the upcoming Test series against Australia. The Pakistan team is gearing up for a challenging series consisting of three Tests, with the first match scheduled to begin on December 14 in Perth. The second test is set for Boxing Day on December 26, and the third test will kick off in the new year on January 3.
As cricket fans await the official commencement of the Test series, the controversy surrounding the use of the racial term serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance against discriminatory language in the sports arena. Cricket Australia‘s prompt acknowledgement and correction of the offensive term highlight the commitment to maintaining the integrity and inclusivity of the sport.
