Amir Khan criticises Pakistani fans for calling Sajid Mahmood a ‘traitor’
British Olympic Silver medallist boxer Amir Khan has lashed out at Pakistani English supporters who called his cousin Sajid Mahmood a ‘traitor’ during England’s third Test against Pakistan at Leeds.
He said Muslim supporters should not forget that they were born in England and England was their country. That fact that they were born to Pakistani immigrants was of secondary importance now, he said, adding that representing Pakistan was a matter of great pride for both brothers.
“He’s no traitor, he’s our hero. Pakistani Muslims who were supporting Pakistan were calling him a traitor because our family is originally from Pakistan. But England is our country. We were born here and England is our home. Sajid is like me - he is proud to represent England,” The Nation quoted him as saying in an interview to the Daily Mirror.
He said his brother aptly used the taunts to motivate himself and produced a match-winning performance against Pakistan. He said even he would have strived harder if faced with a Pakistani opponent in the ring.
“What a performance that was from Sajid, and under all that pressure too. He didn’t let it bother him. Anyone else being called things he was being called might have retaliated and got into trouble. But Sajid is one of those guys who don’t let things get to them. Instead he went and took another wicket. He couldn’t have turned it on against a better team - I know that if I were fighting a Pakistani opponent, I would want to knock him out. There would be that extra incentive,” he said.
“The entire household has been celebrating since he took four wickets in Headingley. Sajid is a hero for us and our family. He and his family came round to our house after that Headingley Test in midweek and we all chilled together with a cup of tea. We’re all just so happy and proud of what he has done,” he added.
Pakistani Muslims taunted Sajid after he steered his side to a comfortable 167-run victory in the Third Test at Headingley taking four wickets for 22 runs.
Sajid said he heard chants of “traitor” being hurled by Pakistani fans, but he didn’t pay heed to them and instead concentrated on his bowling.
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