Bangladesh all-rounder Rishad Hossain has publicly apologized to England’s Tom Curran and New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell after controversial comments made during a tense period in the India-Pakistan military standoff caused backlash across the cricket world.
Rishad’s remarks, made during what he described as a “brief interview with Bangladeshi journalists while I was in transit at Dubai Airport,” were widely circulated and interpreted as casting overseas players in a panicked light during the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He claimed Mitchell vowed never to return to Pakistan, and that Curran was “crying like a child” amid the rising regional tensions.
Rishad issues retraction and apology
Days after the comments gained traction, Rishad clarified that his remarks were misinterpreted and taken out of context.
“I’m aware that a recent comment I made has caused confusion and has unfortunately been misrepresented in the media, creating a false perception,” Rishad said in a statement shared via Lahore Qalandars‘ official social media channels. “The comment was made during a brief interview with Bangladeshi journalists while I was in transit at Dubai Airport. It lacked full context and unintentionally overstated the emotions involved.”
He continued, issuing a full apology to the players involved:
“I sincerely regret any misunderstanding it may have caused. I’ve offered an unconditional apology to Daryl Mitchell and Tom Curran. I hold deep respect for my fellow teammates and truly value the Qalandars brotherhood—where we always stand by one another, no matter what. I look forward to rejoining my team when the Pakistan Super League resumes.”
Daryl Mitchell responds with call for peace
Daryl Mitchell responded through Lahore Qalandars’ social media channels, taking a diplomatic tone. He neither confirmed nor denied the specifics of Rishad’s initial claims but focused on unity and compassion amid the conflict.
“It’s been tough to watch two countries that are so close to my heart in conflict over the past few days. My thoughts are with those affected on both sides,” Mitchell stated.
The New Zealand all-rounder also reaffirmed his ties to both cricketing cultures:
“Both the PSL and IPL have played major roles in my career, and I’ve always cherished my time in both tournaments. I hope peace prevails and we can get back to playing the game we love and continue giving back to the amazing people who support us.”
“It’s nice to be home now with my family, but I’m also looking forward to returning to both countries in the future. Places I truly love spending time in.”
PSL suspended, IPL delayed amid cross-border conflict
The controversy emerged in a period of significant disruption across global cricket. As India-Pakistan military tensions escalated—with reported drone strikes and artillery exchanges—the Pakistan Super League (PSL), relocated to the UAE for security reasons, was suspended indefinitely.
Additionally, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been postponed for at least a week. A ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan was reached on Saturday, May 10, sparking cautious optimism for a return to cricketing normalcy and improved regional stability.
