Just before their big game, all the ten skippers of the cricket teams playing in the ICC World Cup 2019 met Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry on Wednesday. While all the captains sported formal look with their team blazer on top, Pakistani team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed stood out of the crowd in a traditional outfit with the blazer.
Ahamd wore a dark green blazer over simple white kurta-pajamas.
Earlier today at the Buckingham Palace!#CWC19 #WeHaveWeWill #SarfarazAhmed pic.twitter.com/cxLSODXvBp
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 29, 2019
Picture perfect 📸#WeHaveWeWill #CWC19 #SarfarazAhmed pic.twitter.com/YuLCvR9ek6
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 29, 2019
Ahmad’s Pakistani fans felt proud and they praised him for sticking to his roots.
Way to go Sarfaraz! Check out PIA's pride, our very own captain looking handsome as ever in our national dress and we wish the best of luck to team Pakistan! Break a leg! #PIA #CWC19 @SarfarazA_54 pic.twitter.com/zfxdPYlIsQ
— PIA (@Official_PIA) May 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/AhsanAhmed90/status/1133805525546741763
However, columnist Tarek Fatah was not at all impressed by Sarfaraz’s outfit and mocked him on Twitter.
Every other captain, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, SouthAfrica, NewZealand, West Indies & Zimbabwe is smartly turned out in jacket & tie, but no, not the Pakistani. No sir, not him. I’m surprised he didn’t come in his Lungi-Banyan-Topi costume. How does …?
— Tarek Fatah (@TarekFatah) May 30, 2019
Following Fateh’s tweet, several twitter users came in defense of the Pakistani cricket team captain and applauded him for wearing the traditional outfit.
I differ on this. what is the harm if someone dresses in his own country's dress. why it is essential to wear suit in England? If that be so, will every foreigner visiting PM Modi, should essentially wear kurta paizama? and alternately should all ladies wear skirt in England?
— ketan Satnaliya (@kesa1917) May 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/SunBunAurPun/status/1133949349942112256
Honestly … Whats wrong with what he's wearing… You can represent your country with traditional clothes… He did have a blazer on… I honestly don't understand the craze for looking more like them and less like us… Either ways everybody looks 👍👍
— Nemesis♐ (@fara_s) May 30, 2019
Do not agree with you this time Tarek Saheb, if someone is wearing the national dress, Perfect. Let us come out of this slave mentality. Would have loved if Virat also had some Indian dress. Let is not criticise just for the sake of criticism
— Akela (@anilca95) May 30, 2019
If Colonial Hangover were a person https://t.co/HGUmrrH1Ws
— Ghair Zaruri (@LaraibZehra94) May 30, 2019
70 yrs after independence, some still haven't come out of the slave mentality. https://t.co/qgSM6eLpCe
— BBJ (@bbjthespectator) May 30, 2019
I am sure if the queen ever visits Pakistan or India she won't wear Shalwar/Kameez or sarhi. There is no shame in wearing your traditional dress. And there is totally no harm in not poking your nose in some other person's business. https://t.co/Xj7IWkoTy1
— فتوش۔ (@fatilyEverafter) May 30, 2019
Now in the month of Ramadan, can't say anything but I really wanted to.
Anyhow #Pakistan captain simply came in his cultural dress. Shalwar Kameez and the Team's jacket. When the Queen wasn't offended, why wud this drum beat itself?#CricketWorldCup https://t.co/cILgLEs8Ic— KA 🇵🇰 (@khurramar) May 30, 2019
What's more important here is that he is keeping is head high and representing his country. How does ot really matters what he wears? And what's wrong in wearing the traditional clothes?
I think it's very thoughtful.
#CWC2019 @ICC @TheRealPCB https://t.co/Qm8wuh8qO1— Mêghå Bïsht (@theLazyMiss) May 30, 2019
Tells a lot about his post colonial mentality that hasn't came out of the slavery yet. 👇 https://t.co/NJAOxK0CKP
— Salman Ahmad (@_ssaallmmaann) May 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/amnajabeen11/status/1134030479886344192
I'm not even Pakistani but I'm proud of this man for embracing his roots like this. Well done Sarfaraz! 👏 #respect https://t.co/N3lDxGSaPS
— ☽ (@aestheticallyFM) May 30, 2019