It was most shameful to learn that neither the management incl. Zaheer nor the entire Pakistan squad attended Wasim Raja’s funeral prayers. Zaheer played and perhaps shared a room with Raja on many tours. So I am quite incensed that none of them felt it was their moral duty to say farewell to Raja. What has surprised me even more is the fact that not many of the players of his time including Imran Khan, Majid Khan, Miandad, and Sarfraz have publicly condoled the loss of such a thoroughly decent gentleman.
And there can’t be many excuses IMO… The prayers took place near London and commonsense and decency dictated that the team along with Zaheer himself should have attended the prayers.
We should n’t blame the west all the time for being materialistic, selfish etc. I think we are just as selfish. It seems to me that some people in this world only care about themselves.
A handful of people (<100) attended Raja’s funeral players.
Only Asif Iqbal (who’s a thoroughly decent gentleman IMO) and Mushtaq Mohammad bothered to attend.
A few years from now how would the current players feel if no one attended Inzi’s funeral? These people give so much for the country and cricketers themselves are ambassadors of their country. But then public memory is so short.
In all fairness I have lost some respect for Inzamam. A man who’s supposedly religious should have had the decency and commonsense to urge everyone to attend the prayers
The least they could have done is observe a minute’s silence in the 20-twenty game. Yes the players are here to play cricket and not to attend funerals but if they really wanted to go for a few hours no one could have stopped them. The behaviour of the current players leaves a lot to be desired.
And no I am not getting carried away here. I just think it was morally wrong and utterly shameful
inzi_rocks it did n't literally mean that but it is indeed disappointing to see our national hereos ingoring one of their own and not even bothering to make a statement at some level or another.
I feel deeply sorry for the Raja death at such a young age. May Allah keep him in His mercy, but I don't understand why we people make such things a matter of such a great concern if someone couldnt make it to funeral.
Funeral prayer is not farth and not showing sympathies in public doesn't mean his friends and colleagues doesnt feel sorry for him.
Cricketfan I am not making a petty issue out of Raja's death here. Perhaps you think it's ok to ignore the funeral of a colleague, someone you played with and shared the same dressing room with. That's fine with me. Each to his own beliefs but I don't think it's morally correct. It's only right that Zaheer should have attended Raja' funeral. There is something called commonsense and decency in this world.
It's really disgrace than no one from the Pakistan team or management bothered to attend the funeral. Shows how much care or sympathy they have for their ex stars.
This is very disconcerting, if Pak players and managment are not going o show any respect to their own why sud others? This was disgraceful, I totally agree with one of the posteess, least tehy cud have done was hold a two minute silence or worn black bands.
Attending a funeral is more out of respect for the deceased. Issue of it being fardh-e-kafaiyya is a separate topic, so I agree with the topic starter. That Pak team was so close by; and they had a perfect opportunity to offer their respects to a senior cricketer, a respected cricket coach and a thorough gentleman; and they missed it completely, is indeed very disappointing.
I agree if someone is in close proximity then they should have gone to attend funeral and extend their sympathesies with bereaved family, but as far as calling of public statements by ex crickters is concern, I don't agree with such demands. Such issues and friendship should be personal matters rather than things for media and public.
If pakistani team and officials were in close proximity to the town where funeral took place and were not engaged in a pre-planned engagement then they should have attended the funeral. But again please don't make it such a big issue. I even heard people commenting that Ramiz is back with his commentary team even though his brother died recently. I don't understand what people want?
