Javed Miandad defends Imran Khan over "phateechar" comment

Imran Khan seems to have the backing off once teammate and long time friend Javed Miandad though their time on the pitch has ended long time ago. Javed Miandad came to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman’s rescue as he got himself into controversy by labeling the foreign players in the Pakistan Super League as “phateechar”.

“These are regular cricketing terms and every cricketer knows them,” explained Miandad in a TV show. “In Karachi, we have been using these terms from ages.”

The 59-year-old Miandad then asked Imran Khan’s critics to dig to the root of the derogatory term. According to the veteran these terms are very common and does not have a wrong meaning.

“I don’t consider them problematic at all, because I know the background of these terms,” he said.

The legendary Pakistani batsman highlighted the fact that the topic of concern now should be Kevin Pietersen who refused to take part in the final as a result of Khan’s comment. A handful of overseas player withdrew from the tournament following security concerns also.

Miandad stated “It is a huge allegation, and it needs to be highlighted, especially after Pietersen has come out and clarified that it was his own decision and Imran Khan had nothing to do with it,”

He also took a dig at the English players saying “English players never play if there is a security risk and we all know it already.”

Miandad even suggested Imran’s statement isn’t even an issue. “The whole nation saw when they [politicians] fought in the national assembly,” he added. “This is a real issue.”

It all began when Imran Khan disrespected the foreign players to take part in the PSL by saying that he does not know the name of any of these players. He also stated that they are not foreign players according to him as the franchises brought in random players from Africa.