A Male Pakistani Sports Reporter Commented On A Woman Commentator Because She Wore Heels To A Cricket Pitch. He Got Schooled

Despite the fact that time and time again women have proved that their mettle in every industry, there are still some fields that are male-dominated. Sports, for instance. While women have proved that they have earned their place on the podium, people seem to not take women in sports seriously. The latest example of that comes from Pakistan. Sports reporter Qadir Khwaja took a sly dig at Marina Iqbal, former cricket player and Pakistan’s first woman cricket commentator, for wearing heels on the pitch. Although soon enough he was made to eat his words, because she could play cricket but why must she be feminine, right?

Sportswomen are always treated like they are inferior to men. From the wage gap to popularity, it’s a problem that needs to be taken seriously. People presume that the women who are in the sports field don’t know anything about it. That’s what happened here as well.  Qadir, fully aware that Marina is a former player, assumed that she didn’t know what footwear is supposed to be worn on a pitch. And he tried to use it to portray her in a negative light. Men really have some issue with women encroaching on their territory. They get all butt hurt.  

You see, Qadir shared two pictures of Marina commentating and asked netizens if they thought it was okay that she was wearing heels while roaming around on the cricket pitch. He wrote, “Is it legal to roam around on the pitch wearing heels? Need opinions,” in Urdu. 

کیا پچ پر ہیل والی جوتی پہن کر ٹہلنا قانونی ہے؟؟؟
رائے چاہیے@sohailimrangeo @anussaeed1 @Shoaib_Jatt @hashmi_shahid @MarinaMI_24 @NT20Cup @TheRealPCB #NationalT20Cup #NT20CUP pic.twitter.com/2dF7Jug5SK

— Qadir Khawaja (@iamqadirkhawaja) October 5, 2020

Okay, I don’t get it. How is her footwear any of his concern? Honestly, it feels like he was looking for a reason to bring her down and found these two pictures of Marina in heels and tried to spin the truth. Why is he nitpicking at her outfit instead of focusing on her commentary? Anyway, little did he know that he was putting his foot (or shall I say heel) in his mouth.  

Half knowledge can be dangerous Qadir. It's flats on pitch and heels in pre match. I am a former Pakistan player, I know the protocols. pic.twitter.com/8DcrG8UWgT

— Marina Iqbal (@MarinaMI_24) October 5, 2020

According to reports, after he shared that tweet, Marina retorted with an amazing comeback that shut Qadir up. She shared pictures of herself from another angle that clearly showed she was wearing flats on the pitch and heels in the pre-match discussion. In her tweet, she clarified that being a former cricket player, she knows all the protocols. 

Marina Iqbal said, “Half knowledge can be dangerous Qadir. It’s flats on pitch and heels in pre-match. I am a former Pakistan player, I know the protocols.” 

Oh, but it doesn’t end there. After Marina gave her response, Qadir replied to her saying that because those two pictures showed her wearing heels there was a misunderstanding. He also thanked her for the explanation. Well, if you don’t want your ass handed to you on social media, maybe don’t nitpick on women’s outfits? 

He replied saying, “Only the opinion was taken but some people have taken it to heart …. thank you, Marina, you have clarified the matter .. by the way, your flat shows were not visible in the picture which caused misunderstanding.”

Also Read: Mithali Raj Said COVID-19 Has Set Women’s Cricket In India Back By Few Years. Women In Sports Should Get Equal Opportunities

صرف رائے لی گئی تھی لیکن کچھ لوگ اس بات کو دل پر لے گئے ہیں…. شکریہ مرینہ آپ نے بات کو کلئیر کردیا.. ویسے تصویر میں آپ کے فلیٹ شوز نظر نہیں آرہے تھے جسکی وجہ سے غلط فہمی پھیلی https://t.co/yyyJQxWteR

— Qadir Khawaja (@iamqadirkhawaja) October 5, 2020

👍Thanks for your explanation…

— Qadir Khawaja (@iamqadirkhawaja) October 5, 2020

While Marina Iqbal’s reply was on point, I can’t help but feel annoyed that she had to give an explanation on why she was dressed the way she was. How long before the world sees beyond a woman’s outfit and at her capabilities? Marina Iqbal is Pakistan’s first female commentator. She joined Pakistan’s women cricket team in 2009. That is a huge deal. Maybe give her the benefit of doubt that she knows what she is doing? What footwear she wore is less than important in this scenario. I hate that women are still made to give justifications for such trivial things because arrogant men, like Qadir, assume we know less than nothing. 

This is truly annoying.

https://thehauterfly.com/fashion/a-female-reporter-was-shamed-for-wearing-a-tank-top-during-an-interview-when-will-women-be-taken-seriously-in-sports-journalism/