A video of legendary Pakistan batter Saeed Anwar making controversial comments on women empowerment and financial independence has gone viral on social media. The former opener’s comments sparked debate on social media when a video surfaced of him discussing his thoughts on women joining the workforce.

Saeed Anwar is allegedly seen condemning the rise in divorce rates and blaming it to women’s ability to work outside the house and attain financial independence.

“I’ve been all around the world. I recently got back from Europe and Australia. Families are struggling, and children are suffering. There are arguments between couples. They have to force their wives to work for pay since the situation is so dire,” according to Anwar.

The former cricketer revealed stories of encounters with individuals from various countries who expressed regret about the supposed social unrest brought by women entering occupations.

“Kane Williamson, the captain of New Zealand’s men’s cricket team, contacted me and asked ‘How will our society get better?’… The Australian mayor told me, ‘Since our women entered the workforce, our culture has been destroyed.’”

“Divorce rates have increased by 30% in the last three years since women started to work in Pakistan,” he remarked.

Saeed Anwar emphasized the ‘risks’ associated with women pursuing financial independence and said.

“‘To hell with you, I can earn myself,’ the spouses say. I’m capable of managing a home by myself. This is the entire strategy. You won’t get this strategy unless you get help.”

Anwar has come under fire for his remarks. Many social media users criticized his opinions as detrimental and outdated, stressing the value of women’s financial security and their right to the workforce.

Being one of the best opening batters in Pakistani cricket history, Saeed Anwar is highly respected in the sport. From 1989 until 2003, Anwar played for Pakistan mostly as an opening batsman in ODIs and Test matches.

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