Watch: Harbhajan Singh, Kamran Akmal Face Off In WCL Game After Sikh Remark Controversy

Kamran Akmal’s contentious remarks about Sikhs, made last month on a Pakistani TV show while discussing Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh during the T20 World Cup, sparked widespread outrage and angered former Indian offspinner Harbhajan Singh. Nearly a month later, the two encountered each other during the India vs Pakistan match at the ‘World Championship of Legends’ (WCL) tournament in Birmingham on Saturday.

The two former on-field rivals were spotted in a serious conversation after the match, a moment that was recorded on video from a distance and subsequently shared on social media. Harbhajan appeared very animated during the discussion, attempting to convey something to his Pakistani counterpart, though the topic of their conversation remains unknown.

The controversy arose when Akmal made his contentious remark during Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against India, which India won by six runs. Pakistan was subsequently eliminated from the tournament.

Reacting to Akmal’s comment, Harbhajan had said: “Kamran Akmal should understand that there is no need to say anything about anyone’s religion and make fun of it. I would like to ask Kamran Akmal if he knows the history of Sikhs, who are Sikhs and all the work that Sikhs have done to save your community, your mothers and sisters. Ask this from your ancestors, at 12 o’clock the Sikhs used to attack Mughals and rescue your mothers and sisters, so stop talking nonsense.”