Mohammad Shami receives online abusive after India loosing to Pakistan. Hundreds of messages were left on Shami’s Instagram account saying he was a “traitor” and should be thrown out of the Indian team.
A torrent of social media abuse was aimed at India’s only Muslim player, the bowler Mohammed Shami, after his side were thrashed by arch rivals Pakistan at the cricket T20 World Cup. Violence against Muslims in India was also reported after the emphatic 10-wicket win on Sunday, Pakistan’s first against India at any World Cup.
Even though India captain Virat Kohli acknowledged that his side had been “outplayed” there was a abusive on Shami. But many fans and politicians also urged support for him, calling on Indian players to reject the hate messages just as they had backed the Black Lives Matter movement by taking a knee.
In a tweet, Sehwag expressed his shock at the comments directed at Shami and said he stands by him. He said anyone who has represented the country “has India in their hearts far more than any online mob”.A few former and current India players, including Sachin Tendulkar, did extend their support to Mohammad Shami, who was subjected to a fierce online attack following the national team’s first-ever loss to Pakistan in the World Cup history.
“When we support Team India, we support every person who represents Team India,” Sachin Tendulkar wrote on Twitter. “Mohammed Shami is a committed, world-class bowler. He had an off day like any other sportsperson can have. I stand behind Shami & Team India.”
“Team India your BLM knee-taking counts for nothing if you can’t stand up for your teammate who is being horribly abused and trolled on social media,” Omar Abdullah, a former chief minister in the Muslim-majority region of Kashmir, said on Twitter.
Shami has been one of India’s best fast bowlers in recent times and has performed well over the last five years. India lost their T20 World Cup opener by 10 wickets, with Shami emerging as the most expensive bowler on the night, leaking 43 runs in 3.5 overs. The Twitter community condemned the abuse of Shami and called for action from the BCCI.