Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has come out in support of pacer Mohammad Shami who has been relentlessly harassed online after India lost to Pakistan in their T20 World Cup 2021 opening match on Sunday, in Dubai.
India, who were asked to bat first after Virat Kohli lost the toss, managed just 151/7 with 57 from the skipper and 39 from Rishabh Pant. Shaheen Afridi starred with three wickets including the scalp of Rohit Sharma for a golden duck.
In reply, Pakistan trounced India badly, winning by 10 wickets as Mohammad Rizwan (79*) and Babar Azam (68*) added 152 for the first wicket and broke the jinx of Pakistan never beating India in World Cup matches.
India bowlers were on target of trolls on social media as they failed to pick a single wicket in 17.5 overs. But Mohammad Shami copped it pretty badly as his 43 runs in 3.5 overs led to him being abused online badly by users who were miffed with India losing to Pakistan for the first time in T20 World Cups.
However, he got lots of support from everyone and Irfan Pathan said that such behavior needs to stop.
He tweeted,” 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. #Shami”
Not only Pathan, but Aakash Chopra also opined on the same and tweeted, “Online trolls are the ones who earlier used to burn effigies and throw paint-stones at player’s houses with an online profile without a face worthy of a profile pic.”
