Pakistani Cricketer Ahmed Shehzad's remark to Sri Lankan player Tillakaratne Dilshan suggesting him to convert to Islam as path to the heaven goes through it, has initiated a probe by the Pakistani Cricket Board.
While chatting on their way back to the pavilion from the field after the third One-Day International between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Dambulla, Sri Lanka, Shehzad made the aforementioned religious remark to Dilshan.
"If you are a non-Muslim and you turn Muslim, no matter whatever you do in your life, straight to heaven," NDTV quoted Shehzad as saying.
Although, Dilshan was seen casually replying to Shehzad's remark, it was not clear in the video what he said. The latter went on and told Dilshan, "then be ready for the fire."
Later on Wednesday, Pakistan Cricket Board summoned Shehzad in Lahore demanding clarification on his conversion remarks. Clarifying his statement, the cricketer reportedly told the board that it was just a casual and "personal" chat.
"Ahmed has informed the PCB that it was his personal chat with Dilshan, and there was nothing more to it. What we understand is that no Sri Lanka Cricket official or our own manager lodged any complaint," Board General Manager Agha Akbar told Associated Press.
Dilshan, whose father was a Muslim and mother a Buddhist, had converted to Buddhism later in his life and taking Sinhalese-Buddhist identity he had changed his name to Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan.
