Pakistani-born South African cricketer Imran Tahir is the latest to become a victim of racial abuse. The incident happened during the 4th ODI at Wanderers, Johannesburg. Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed the development as it issued a statement which revealed that an unknown individual had uttered racially insensitive remarks towards Tahir during the match. Tahir too was quick to raise an alarm and the culprit was instantly taken out of the ground. The South African spinner could not keep a lid on his temper and got engaged in a scuffle.
ALSO READ: What does Steve Smith do when he returns home after a tour? Dani Willis spilt the beans — WATCH
In the release by Cricket South Africa, it read,
“Imran Tahir was verbally and racially abused by an unknown man during the fourth One-Day International (ODI) against India at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on Saturday. Tahir reported the incident to the stadium security and was subsequently accompanied by two security personnel to identify and to have the man ejected from the stadium. Tahir made no physical contact with the offender or any of the children in the vicinity. The incident is under investigation with the CSA and stadium security teams. Cricket South Africa has noted and is aware of the circulation of video footage featuring Imran Tahir on social media and Whatsapp groups. In accordance with the ICC Anti-racism code, spectators who engage in racist conduct are to be ejected from the stadium and can face further sanctions and criminal prosecution.”
Here is the video of the episode:
This is not the first time Tahir has got into a fight. Back in 2014, Australian supporters at the Manuka Oval in Canberra had hurled racial abuses at Tahir. Later, during the 2015 World Cup, Tahir was once again found himself the subject of another such controversy when a fan reportedly said, “Why don’t you go stroke your pet camel?”
In the past, we also saw Mohammed Shami get into a fight during the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in Britain and more lately we saw Ben Stokes landing punches at a stranger outside a Bristol bar.
