‘Traitor & spy’: Muslim Indian cricketer focused with ‘disgusting’ abuse after Pakistan rout bitter rivals at World Cup

A bunch of Indian cricket stars have leapt to the protection of tempo bowler Mohammad Shami after he obtained a litany of “stunning” on-line abuse after his staff suffered a dismal defeat to rivals Pakistan on Sunday.

Pakistan claimed a shock win on Sunday of their T20 World Cup group-stage match in Dubai as they routed India by 10 wickets.

For the Indian staff, who misplaced to their nice rivals for the primary time in a World Cup match, the event was additional souredshortly afterwards when Shami, who’s the one Muslim participant within the Indian staff, was focused for repeated on-line harassment. 

Shami turned in a below-par efficiency, bowling zero for 43 from three.5 overs and giving up seven boundaries throughout an unimpressive show.

The vitriol from some sections of the Indian fanbase was evident, as Shami’s Instagram profile was inundated with accusations of him being a “traitor” and requires him to be dropped from the staff. 

The rancor, which seems to be grounded by ongoing historic tensions between the 2 nations as a lot as by Shami’s efficiency, prompted a bunch of Indian cricket’s greatest names – in addition to some excessive profile media figures – to leap to his protection on-line.

“What is going on to Mohammed Shami is completely unacceptable. If the staff cannot even get up for their very own teammate it’s shameful. As an alternative of taking a knee it could assist in the event that they grew a backbone,” stated Indian tv persona Sumanth Raman.

“Actually heartening to see India take the knee in assist of BLM and towards racism. The vile concentrating on of Mohammed Shami for India’s T20 loss is pure bigotry and racism,” added Sayeeda Warsi, a peer of the UK’s Home of Lords.

“Actually upsetting & disgusting Islamophobia & hate speech on-line towards Mohammed Shami after India misplaced out to Pakistan in a cricket match. Calling him a Pakistani agent & spy. Sickening,” wrote one other media persona, Saima Mohsin. 

What is going on to Mohammed Shami is completely unacceptable. If the staff can't even get up for their very own teammate it’s shameful. As an alternative of taking a knee it could assist in the event that they grew a backbone. #T20WorldCup #MohammedShami

— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) October 25, 2021

Actually heartening to see #India take the knee in assist of #BLM and towards racism.
The vile concentrating on of #MohammedShami for India’s #T20 loss is pure bigotry and racism.
The @BCCI & @imVkohli should name out this hate.
Root out racism in cricket and #StandWithShami

— Sayeeda Warsi (@SayeedaWarsi) October 25, 2021

Actually upsetting & disgusting #islamophobia & hate speech on-line towards #MohammedShami after India misplaced out to #Pakistan in a cricket match. Calling him a Pakistani agent & spy. Sickening.
I hope #ViratKohli the #India cricket staff & @BCCI converse out after they #taketheknee

— Saima Mohsin (@SaimaMohsin) October 25, 2021

“Mohammed Shami has been a stellar performer for India for eight years, taking part in a big function in lots of a victory. He can’t be outlined by one efficiency. My greatest needs are at all times with him. I urge followers & followers of the sport to assist Shami and the Indian staff,” added Indian cricket icon VVS Laxman. 

Virender Sehwag additionally waded in: “The net assault on Mohammad Shami is stunning and we stand by him. He’s a champion and Anybody who wears the India cap has India of their hearts excess of any on-line mob. With you Shami.”

There have been some ideas that a part of the maelstrom could also be linked to the Indian staff’s determination to kneel on behalf of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ motion – however that is one thing which Omar Abdullah, previously the chief minister within the Muslim-majority area of Kashmir additionally addressed. 

#MohammedShami was considered one of 11 gamers who misplaced final night time, he wasn’t the one participant on the sector. Staff India your BLM knee taking counts for nothing in the event you can’t get up on your staff mate who’s being horribly abused & trolled on social media.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 25, 2021

“Staff India your BLM knee-taking counts for nothing in the event you can’t get up on your teammate who’s being horribly abused and trolled on social media,” he stated.

Each India and Pakistan have a troubled historical past, with a number of fracas creating between the Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan, with three wars going down since their independence in 1947 – with cricket matches between the 2 nations typically inflaming tensions.

Celebratory gunfire was famous in Pakistani cities of Islamabad and Karachi following the victory towards India, whereas there have been additionally stories of violence in Punjab and in Bangladesh, the place native media reported that two Pakistan cricket followers had been violently attacked by Indian supporters.

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