Uttarakhand captain Iqbal Abdullah has backed former coach Wasim Jaffer as he revealed that it was the team manager who had given the permission to invite a maulvi to the dressing room for leading the Friday namaaz during last month’s training session.The maulvi’s visit has come under the scanner in wake of Uttarakhand coach Wasim Jaffer’s resignation and subsequent allegations that he had “communalised” the team atmosphere and even played a part in breaking the bio-bubble protocol. The former India opener had alleged that officials and selectors of the state association were pushing for the inclusion of “non-deserving players” in the team.
"We cannot offer Friday’s namaaz without a maulvi. We offered namaaz only when our practice got over at around 3:40 pm. I first asked Wasim bhai if I could call the maulvi for prayers. He told me to get permission from the team manager. I spoke to manager Navneet Mishra and he said, ‘koi nahi Iqbal, prayer-dharm first (no problem, prayer and religion is most important)."The manager gave me the permission and that is why I asked the maulvi to lead the prayer," Iqbal told The Indian Express. "If the bio-bubble was in place, would the team manager have given me permission to call the maulvi? If the manager had said ‘no’ I would not have called the maulvi," Abdullah said while speaking about the bio-bubble breach aspect. Wasim bhai always put the team first and never tried to communalize the team. As a cricketer, one never wants to hear such allegations. I spoke to Wasim bhai, he is hurt. These allegations are being made to divert from real issues." He also brushed aside the other allegation against Jaffer about him not allowing the players to chant ‘Rambhakt Hanuman ki Jai’. He said that the team had several chants during the camp and that’s why Jaffer asked the team to stick to one that had ‘Uttarakhand’ in it.
Many former Indian cricketers namely Anil Kumble, Dodda Ganesh, Manoj Tiwary and Irfan Pathan have publicly extended their support to Wasim Jaffer on the ongoing issue. Kumble, who worked closely with Jaffer at Kings XI Punjab in the last IPL, tweeted: “With you Wasim. Did the right thing. Unfortunately, it’s the players who’ll miss your mentor ship.” Former India seamer Irfan Pathan expressed his disappointment that Jaffer had to clarify things. “Unfortunate that you have to explain this,” he tweeted. India and Bengal batsman Manoj Tiwary urged Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat to intervene. “I would request the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand (BJP) Mr. Trivendra Singh Rawat 2 intervene immediately and take note of the issue in which our National hero Wasim bhai was branded as communal in the Cricket Association nd take necessary action. Time 2 Set an example #WasimJaffer,” he tweeted. Ex-India pacer Dodda Ganesh wrote: “Dear @WasimJaffer14, you’ve been a great ambassador of the game and represented India with pride. Cannot believe that this could happen to someone like you. You’re a gem of a cricketer and human, brother. Cricket world knows you and your integrity.” Ranji Trophy’s second highest run-getter Amol Muzumdar came out in support of Jaffer. Muzumdar said Jaffer has been a role model to many players. “I don’t think he should have clarified anything because we all know what he is. He need not explain. I have played with him for so many years and he has been a fantastic servant of the game. He played the game in the right spirit,” said Muzumdar.
