Former India Cricketers Back Wasim Jaffer In Communal Bias Controversy

Wasin Jaffer had resigned on Tuesday citing interference and the bias attitude of the selectors and the union secretary for non-deserving players.

Photo Courtesy: wasimjaffer14 / Instagram

Former India captain Anil Kumble has come out in support of former cricketer Wasim Jaffer, who is facing allegations of forcing religion-based selections in Uttarakhand cricket team.

Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer, who resigned from the post of Uttrakhand team coach due to differences with the Uttarakhand Cricket Association, on Wednesday dismissed allegations made against him by the secretary of the state association.

Jaffer, who has played 31 Tests for India, said that Uttarakhand Cricket Association Secretary Mahim Verma's allegations have hurt him a lot. The veteran had resigned on Tuesday citing interference and the bias attitude of the selectors and the union secretary for non-deserving players.

Anil Kumble took to Twitter to support Jaffer and wrote,"With you Wasim. Did the right thing. Unfortunately it’s the players who’ll miss your mentor ship."

Former India star speedster Irfan Pathan too tweeted to support Jaffer.

"The communal angle that has been brought up is very, very sad," Jaffer said in a virtual press conference. "They accused me of favouring Iqbal Abdulla, I wanted to make him as the captain, which is completely wrong," Jaffar had said during a virtual press conference.

"I wanted to make Jay Bista the captain, but Rizwan Shamshad and the other selectors suggested that you make Iqbal the captain since he is senior player and has played IPL and is much older...I agreed to their recommendation."

Jaffer said the team used to recite a chant of Sikh community to which he suggested they can say "Go Uttarakhand" instead.