Hyderabad: A day after former and current Indian cricketers came in support of Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami, who faced online abuse after India’s first-ever loss to arch-rivals Pakistan in the T20 World Cup match on Sunday, Mohammad Rizwan, who was the hero of the match, extended his support to the Indian fast bowler.
India lost to Pakistan by massive 10 wickets, their worst loss in T20s, as openers Rizwan (79) and captain Babar Azam (68) led their side to the maiden victory in a World Cup event. However, Shami faced severe criticism online. The pacer conceded 43 runs in 3.5 overs, including 17 runs in five balls of his fourth over. But Rizwan, the wicketkeeper batsman from across the border, took to twitter and wrote that the fans should respect their stars. “The kind of pressure, struggles & sacrifices a player has to go through for his country & his people is immeasurable. @MdShami11 is a star & indeed of the best bowlers in the world. Please respect your stars. This game should bring people together & not divide ’em #Shami #PAKvIND,” he wrote on the social networking site.
The kind of pressure, struggles & sacrifices a player has to go through for his country & his people is immeasurable. @MdShami11 is a star & indeed of the best bowlers in the world
— Mohammad Rizwan (@iMRizwanPak) October 26, 2021
Please respect your stars. This game should bring people together & not divide ’em #Shami #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/3p70Ia8zxf
Earlier, Indian former cricketers including the likes of Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and others showed their support to pacer saying one bad day doesn’t make him a bad bowler. For the record, he had over 79 ODIs and 13 T20s taking 148 and 12 wickets respectively.
However, the cricketer himself didn’t respond to any of the trolls. Meanwhile, All India National Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi also took to twitter asking the pacer to forgive the trolls. “Mohammad #Shami we are all with you. These people are filled with hate because nobody gives them any love. Forgive them,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
India will take on New Zealand in their second match in the tournament on October 31 (Sunday).
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