Shehzad has been warned not to engage in religious discussions with players in the future

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad has been officially warned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for his controversial religious comments against Sri Lanka opener Tillakaratne Dilshan.

While walking back to the pavilion after the third ODI in Dambulla, Shehzad was caught on camera telling Dilshan: “If you are a non-Muslim and you turn Muslim, no matter whatever you do in your life, straight to heaven.”

Dilshan’s response could not be heard, but Shehzad’s reply was: “Then be ready for the fire.”

PCB media manager Agha Akbar revealed that Shehzad had been summoned to the board’s headquarters in Lahore to talk about the incident.

“Ahmed has informed the PCB that it was his personal chat with Dilshan, and there was nothing more to it,” Akbar said. “What we understand is that no Sri Lanka Cricket official or our own manager lodged any complaint.”

Dilshan himself did not give his verbal exchange with Shehzad a second thought, and said: “I don’t remember even what I said to him. I have no issues at all. I was just quite happy with the win at the time.”

Dilshan was born to a Muslim father and a Buddhist mother. In fact, he actually used his birth name, Tuwan Mohammad Dilshan, at the start of his international career. But, he later converted to Buddhism and changed his name to Tillakaratne Dilshan.