Matthew Hayden Promotes Islam Live On-Air During World Cup Warm-Up Game, Gets Slammed By Fans

Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden was slammed by fans on X as he promoted Islam during the ICC World Cup 2023 warm-up game between Pakistan and Australia in Hyderabad. The incident took place while he was commentating alongside Ramiz Raja. 

As the warm-up game between Pakistan and Australia was going, Ramiz Raja asked Matthew Hayden what he liked about the Pakistan team. Replying to this, Matthew Hayden talked about how Islam has played a role in lifting their cricket. He had said: 

“Well, it’s very focused around Islam, which is the central and core thing to this playing unit. And that principle and the way of life leads to great discipline., which I greatly admire. After all, cricket is very much a discipline as well. You have to be committed. You have to be invested, and you have to be consistent.” 

Matthew Hayden shared a great time with Pakistan. The former Australia cricketer served as the batting consultant for Men in Green during the T20 World Cup 2021 and T20 World Cup 2022. He was appointed by Ramiz Raja, who at that time was chairman of PCB. 

Both Hayden and Ramiz Raja aren’t associated with Pakistan anymore. They are currently part of the commentary panel for the ICC World Cup 2023. Coming to Men in Green, they will open their campaign against the Netherlands on 6th October in Hyderabad. The Babar Azam-led side did not have a great outing in warmup games as they lost both their games against New Zealand and Australia respectively.

Fans on X Slam Matthew Hayden As He Promotes Islam During ICC World Cup 2023 Warm-up Match 

As Matthew Hayden promoted Islam on air during the ICC World Cup 2023 warmup game between Pakistan and Australia in Hyderabad, fans on X reacted to it. They lashed out at the former Australian cricketer for his antics and gave some angry reactions:

Matthew Hayden and Ramiz Raja promote Islam during World Cup 2023: Why ICC and BCCI must stop cricket from becoming the ground for Islamic conversions.@BCCI @ianuragthakur @narendramodi @AmitShah @PMOIndia @HMOIndia
Shame!!!

— Pallavi Sinha?? (@PallaviSinha_) October 4, 2023

This is a Cricket World Cup match and not a religious gathering where such teachings can be given ?
Why is this comment between Ramiz Raja and Matthew Hayden being allowed to openly promote and glorify Islam @cricketworldcup?? Is anyone responsible ? https://t.co/4QZY9AA6cm

— ? JaGGu ? (@RaamBansal) October 4, 2023

@HaydosTweets @bcci
Hey Matthew Hayden concentrate on cricket rather than promoting Islam while commentating.

— Sameer Joshi (@ijoshisameer) October 4, 2023

brother matthew hayden at the verge of reciting the shahada in the comms box

— rameen (@rameenwhile) October 3, 2023

Sports/cricket is a secondary thing for them, their priority lies in cοnverting people to their reIigion. Earlier, Rizwan gifted Matthew Hayden the English version of the Quπαn, and now Ramiz Raza is talking to him about lsIαmιc practices and all during a live practice match.… pic.twitter.com/lQrxZKyrS9

— Mikku ? (@effucktivehumor) October 4, 2023

-Ramiz Raza and Matthew Hayden promoting Islam during warm up match of world cup
-Hayden was Batting consultant of Pakistan team during 2022 T20 World Cup
-Both are promoting personal religious beliefs in commentary funded by ICC which is eventually funded by BCCI
-Hopefully… pic.twitter.com/stxjPJkf4L

— BALA (@rightarmleftist) October 4, 2023

Convert Matthew Hayden praising Islam in the ICC World Cup commentary box @ICC ??? pic.twitter.com/8uMKJgWrko

— JIX5A (@JIX5A) October 4, 2023

This isnt the first time mathhew hayden has done it. I remember him doing it earlier too in some other match a couple of years back.

— Sammy S ?? (@AtheistSunny) October 4, 2023