Latif believes Jones should be forgiven for gaffe

KARACHI, Aug 12 (Reuters)

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has called on the cricket community to forgive disgraced Australian commentator Dean Jones for his disparaging remarks about South African Muslim cricketer Hashim Amla.

Jones, who played 52 times for Australia, was sacked by the Dubai based channel Ten Sports after he referred to Amla as a "terrorist" during the second test between Sri Lanka and South Africa in Colombo last week. "What Jones said was unfortunate. But I can vouch that he is not a racist.

He is the one Australian cricketer who has got along very well with us," Latif told Reuters by telephone on Saturday.

Viewers in South Africa heard Jones say, "the terrorist has got another wicket" when Amla took the catch that dismissed Kumar Sangakkara. Jones has since apologised to Amla, who forgave the former top order batsman but said he was deeply hurt by what he had heard.

Latif said he was sure Jones must have made the remark in a light-hearted manner, thinking he was off-air.

"He was the one who broke the ice with Asian cricketers and I know he has a lot of respect for the Muslim faith. He has many Pakistani friends.

"The incident does highlight the fact that all commentators need to be very careful," he added.