Updated January 10th, 2021 at 18:38 IST

Irfan Pathan condemns racial abuse during SCG Test, gives a strong reply to offenders

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan condemned racial abuse and said that the abusive fans should not come to stadiums if they cannot respect players

Reported by: Karthik Nair
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Irfan Pathan gave a befitting reply to the offenders and at the same time has backed frontline pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj after the duo was subjected to racial abuse during the ongoing third Test match that is underway at the Sydney Cricket Ground by a group of unruly crowd at the SCG.

'Don't come to the stadium': Irfan Pathan

Taking to the micro-blogging site, the former Indian all-rounder wrote that if one cannot respect the players on the field then they better not come to the stadium to watch the game in the very first place. 

Meanwhile, the passionate cricket fans came forward and lent their full support to the cricketer-turned-commentator/analyst. Here are some of the reactions. 

READ: Cricket Australia Apologises As India's Siraj, Bumraj Racially Abused Twice; No Action Yet

Siraj once again abused by the Australian crowd

Speedster Mohammed Siraj had complained of being subjected to racial abuses yet again on Day Four of the third Test. At the end of the 85th over of Australia's second innings, Siraj walked up to the umpires along with stand-in Test captain Ajinkya Rahane to report the incident following which the police asked the spectators responsible to leave the stand. Siraj was subjected to racism from the spectators at the SCG while he was standing at the boundary rope after completing the 85th over. 

READ: Australia Coach Justin Langer 'upset & Disappointed' With Unruly Behaviour From SCG Crowd

As per sources, four spectators were reportedly asked to move back and sit further up the stands after the Indian team complained to the umpires.

This was the second such incident after a similar one was reported by the Indian team on Saturday i.e. on Day 3 of the ongoing Test match. 

READ: Gautam Gambhir Defends Bumrah-Siraj, Calls For Enforcing Strict Laws Against Racial Abuse

Cricket Australia issues statement on racism in ongoing SCG Test

“Cricket Australia has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory behaviour in all forms following the alleged racial abuse of members of the Indian cricket squad by a section of the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday,” read the statement.

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Published January 10th, 2021 at 18:38 IST