Dilshan plays down religious chat with Shehzad

Sri Lanka batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has played down the supposed religious 'altercation' he had with Pakistan's Ahmed Shehzad during the ODI series, saying he hadn't thought anything of it at the time.

Sri Lanka batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has played down the supposed religious 'altercation' he had with Pakistan's Ahmed Shehzad during the ODI series, saying he hadn't thought anything of it at the time.

While Shehzad has been reprimanded by the PCB for his comments, caught on camera by a journalist and then taken to the board, Dilshan and his top brass have played it all down, not making any complaint or report.

Dilshan said, when asked about the incident: "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."

The moment occurred when the teams were leaving the field after the third ODI, which Sri Lanka won. Shehzad seemed to tell Dilshan, who is a Buddhist but used to be a Muslim: "If you are a non-Muslim and you turn Muslim, no matter whatever you do in your life, straight to heaven."

Dilshan's reply is unclear, but Shehzad apparently responded, according to IBN Live, with: "Then be ready for the fire."

Shehzad suffered no punishment aside from a reprimand, because despite the PCB looking into the matter, Sri Lanka Cricket had no desire to take the matter further.

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