‘Koh-i-Noor diamond rarely found,’ Yograj Singh on question of Imran Khan’s incarceration

Days after Indian cricketer Yograj Singh criticised Pakistani fast-bowling legend Wasim Akram for using harsh words against Pakistani players following their crucial ICC Champions Trophy loss to India, he showered praises on incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday.

“I want to convey to the Pakistan political system and their people that the ‘Koh-i-Noor diamond’ is rarely found, so don’t break it. Listen to him [Imran Khan] what he wants to say or what he wants to do,” Yograj said in response to the question of what he feels from a cricketer's point of view when he sees the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, being kept in jail.

Recalling his multiple recent meetings with Imran Khan, Yograj said that the latter is a "universe" in himself.

Yograj Singh, also the father of former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, made these comments during an exclusive interview on a YouTube channel on Saturday.

On being asked about his recent remarks mocking Akram, Yograj emphasised that one should focus on building players on the ground rather than criticising their own country's players on television.

Yograj had earlier mocked Wasim when a short clip of the latter taking a jibe at Pakistani players with the remark "itne kele toh bandar nahi khaate" (even monkeys don’t eat this many bananas) emerged online. Yograj maintained that greats like Akram and ex-cricketer Shoaib Akhtar should be ashamed of themselves for making such comments instead of helping the players.

Speaking to a private Indian news agency, Yograj, while opining that Pakistani ex-cricketers don’t hold the same passion [for training younger cricketers] as Indians, said, “They compare themselves with India, but don’t love their country enough to say that we have earned enough money and start training the younger generation.”

In response, without naming Yograj, Wasim Akram, while speaking to Ten Sports three days back, said, “When I see Pakistan coaches – I see Waqar here, who has been sacked quite a few times after becoming a coach – and their condition. Aap log badtameezi karte hain (You guys are disrespectful), I cannot tolerate it.”

“I want to help Pakistan cricket. Why do you want to pay me? I am available free of cost. If you organise a camp and want me to be there, I will. If you want me to spend time with cricketers ahead of a big tournament, I will do that. But I am 58 years old, and at this age, I am not going to take such insults as you guys do. I cannot lead a stressful life at this age,” he said.