Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on Monday came out in support of pacer Mohammed Shami following the online abuse after India’s defeat against Pakistan in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Tendulkar stated that Shami is a committed, world-class bowler and he had an off day on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium. “When we support #TeamIndia, we support every person who represents Team India. @MdShami11 is a committed, world-class bowler. He had an off day like any other sportsperson can have. I stand behind Shami & Team India,” Tendulkar tweeted.
Shami was subjected to online abuse after India suffered defeat against arch-rival Pakistan on Sunday. As soon as the match ended, fans on Instagram and Twitter passed derogatory statements on Shami.
Earlier in the day, former India pacer Irfan Pathan, Yuzvendra Chahal and all-rounder Yusuf Pathan also condemned the online abuse against Shami.
Condemning the online abuse of Mohammad Shami, former India pacer Irfan Pathan and all-rounder Yusuf Pathan said even he was a part of India vs Pakistan match earlier but was never “told to go to Pakistan”. “Even I was part of #IndvsPak battles on the field where we have lost but never been told to go to Pakistan! I’m talking about of few years back. THIS CRAP NEEDS TO STOP,” Irfan tweeted.
“We love you @MdShami11#Shami,” spinner Harbhajan tweeted.
India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal also came out in support of Shami following the online abuse.
“We are so proud of you @MdShami11 bhaiya,” Chahal tweeted.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli also saw some unruly fan behaviour and the trolls have also not been kind to him, as he is also being criticised for his captaincy during the game.
Yusuf Pathan said one can criticise the cricketers but abusing someone following the defeat shouldn’t be done.
“Criticising is fine but khiladiyon ko abuse nahi karna chahiye. Ye game hai, better team on that day won. Inhi cricketers ne India ko bohot matches jitaye hain pichle kuch saalon mein. Aur haar kar jeetne wale ko hi baazigar kehte hai na,” Yusuf tweeted.
Attack on Shami is ‘shocking’
Former Indian batter Virender Sehwag on Monday also rallied behind pacer Mohammed Shami, who continues to suffer online abuse after the Men in Blue suffered a defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
“The online attack on Mohammad Shami is shocking and we stand by him. He is a champion and Anyone who wears the India cap has India in their hearts far more than any online mob. With you Shami. Agle match mein dikado jalwa,” Sehwag tweeted.
Shami is being subjected to online abuse after the Men in Blue suffered a defeat against arch-rival Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. As soon as India was defeated by Pakistan on Sunday, fans took to Instagram and Twitter to pass derogatory statements on Mohammed Shami.
Pakistan defeated India by 10 wickets and none of the Men in Blue bowlers were able to leave an impact as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan took the bowling to the cleaners.
Mohammad Rizwan and skipper Babar Azam put on a remarkable show on Sunday as Pakistan thrashed India by 10 wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Rizwan (79*) and Babar (68*) didn’t give any chance to India bowlers to come on top as the two batsmen dominated the proceedings. Pakistan chased down the target of 152 without losing a wicket as India looked clueless in their opening match.
“We didn’t execute properly. Credit where it’s due and Pakistan outplayed us today. They started brilliantly with the ball, and 3 wickets for 20 runs was not a good start. We needed wickets early but with the bat, they gave us absolutely no chances,” Kohli told host broadcaster Star Sports after the game ended.
“It played slow in the first half and hitting through the line was not that easy as it was in the second half, after 10 overs. We needed those 15-20 extra runs and for that, we needed a good start but Pakistan’s bowling didn’t allow us to get those extra runs,” he added.
This is the first time that India has lost a T20I by 10 wickets. Coincidentally, this is also the first time that Pakistan has won a T20I by 10 wickets.
India will next square off against New Zealand on 31 October while Pakistan will take on New Zealand on 26 October.