‘It is not only childish, but huge stupidity’ - Saba Karim lambasts Tim Paine for his controversial 'sideshow' remark

Tim Paine has been receiving massive criticism lately for his controversial remarks on India’s Test series victory over Australia earlier this year. Marred with several injuries, Team India defied all the odds and won the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 by 2-1. While the Ajinkya Rahane-led team left the cricket world in awe with its triumph, Australian Test captain Tim Paine claimed that the visitors distracted his side by creating ‘sideshows’ during the series.

Needless to say, Paine’s comment didn’t go down well with Indian fans and they mercilessly trolled the Aussie captain. Former Indian wicketkeeper Saba Karim was also not amused with Paine’s comment and he slammed the veteran cricketer. Calling Paine’s comment ‘childish’, Karim said that the Aussie skipper is trying to hide his side’s mistakes during the series.  The former national selector also opined that the home team tends to create such sideshows, and India has been at the receiving end several times.

It is an attempt by Tim Paine to hide Australia’s mistakes: Saba Karim

“It is not only childish, but huge stupidity. This is ‘Ulta chor kotwal ko daante‘. It is an attempt by Tim Paine to hide the mistakes they have committed. We have often seen that the home team does this kind of sideshow to distract the visiting team and it has happened to India many times,” said Saba Karim during a discussion on India News.

Notably, Australian head coach Justin Langer had admitted that Team India played quality cricket during the series. Owing to this, Karim was even more perplexed by Tim Paine’s statement. “I am finding it even more surprising because Justin Langer the coach has admitted that the Indian team gave a terrific performance, that the pool of India A players was very good and that they should not feel bad after losing to India,” added the 53-year-old.

Further in the discussion, Karim also stated that Australia should reflect on their mistakes to get better rather than making such excuses. He also reckons that Paine’s controversial remarks can cost him the Australia captaincy. Notably, the 36-year-old wicketkeeper had recently admitted being at the fag end of his career. He also stated to support Steve Smith to take over the leadership role again.