Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan showed support for Mohammed Shami amid trolling the latter receives after having an off day on the field. On October 24, team India was finally defeated by Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup tournament’s first game. While every player was trolled by Indian netizens on some level, Shami was served the most unfortunate serving of the trolling.

The pace expert belongs to Islamic community, and hence, was questioned on his alliances. Some people also claimed that he “sold himself” and choice to play for Pakistan.

Although Shami has been patient and wise and has not issued any statement, a lot of cricketers including Sachin Tendulkar, Virendra Sehwag, Irfan Pathan have voiced their support.

Contents hide
1. Background
2. The Facts of the Matter
3. Shami’s Off Day at Office and What Followed
4. Spirit of Cricket – Pak Player Supports Shami
5. Aakash Chopra Changes Twitter DP to Shami’s Pic
6. Sachin Tendulkar, Irfan Pathan, Sehwag Voice Their Support

Background

India is a country of paradoxes. Cricket is treated as religion, and cricketers are loved and admired by all. But it just takes one defeat for people to unleash their most abusive side. In the past when Indian team lost a game of cricket, especially to Pakistan, mobs used to collectively burn effigies with faces of prominent players on them. This has now transformed into online bullying. And when there are no repercussions, people use their anonymity for the worst and spew hateful statements.

Recently, Indian pace veteran Mohammed Shami was on the receiving end of some similar behaviour.

Also Read: “Pakistan’s Win Over India Was Islam’s Win”: Pak Minister, Claimed Muslims in India Supported Pak

The Facts of the Matter

The Indian cricket team faced a eye-opening defeat from its arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday. Pakistan played some clinical cricket and never let its Indian counterpart make a comeback in the game. This led to a lot of abusive trolling on Twitter and other social media platforms. Skipper Kohli was asked to retire, and Dhoni was made fun of as losing his touch in mentorship. Pacer Mohammed Shami that dealt with the worst.

Shami’s Off Day at Office and What Followed

Shami – like the entire Indian bowling unit – had an off day and conceded 43 runs in his 3.5 overs. This led to an army of trollers take to his Instagram and brutally abuse him, especially targeting his religion. Some even went to the extent of asking whether he has sold himself to play for Pakistan’s side.

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Spirit of Cricket – Pak Player Supports Shami

To extend his support for Shami, Pakistan’s very own wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan took to Twitter and shared a beautiful message. He shared a painting of Shami and in the caption claimed that the sport of cricket’s aim is to unite people, not divide them.

“The kind of pressure, struggles & sacrifices a player has to go through for his country & his people is immeasurable. @MdShami11is a star & indeed of the best bowlers in the world. Please respect your stars. This game should bring people together & not divide ’em,” he tweeted.

Aakash Chopra Changes Twitter DP to Shami’s Pic

Earlier, Indian commentator Aakash Chopra made a heart touching gesture by changing his Twitter display picture to the photo of Mohammed Shami. In the picture, Shami can be seen wearing the newly released Indian jersey.

Also Read: Twitter Lashes Out on Umpire after KL Rahul Dismissed on No Ball in India VS Pakistan T20

Sachin Tendulkar, Irfan Pathan, Sehwag Voice Their Support

Along with Aakash Chopra, a slew of current and former cricketers extended their support for Shami and slammed online trollers. Former Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar took to Twitter and wrote, “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.”

Former Indian opener and popular Hindi commentator Virendra Sehwag also called the attack on Shami “shocking”. He also advised him to come back in style in the next match.

Former Indian fast bowler Irfan Pathan also voiced his opinion and said that in the past he was part of a team that lost to Pakistan, but never before was the team asked to go to Pakistan.

Similarly, spinning wizard Harbhajan Singh, current Indian player Yuzvendra Chahal also showed their support for Shami.