Team India fast bowler Mohammed Shami was at the receiving end of the vile abuse after Virat Kohli & Co succumbed to a thumping defeat against Pakistan on Sunday. Chasing 152 runs, Babar Azam & Co went past the target with 13 balls to spare at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The Indian bowlers looked completely off-colours on Sunday as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan hammered their way to get past the target. Pakistan rode on Mohammad Rizwan (79 not out off 55 balls) and Babar Azam’s (68 not out off 52 balls) unbeaten half-centuries to chase down the target with 13 balls to spare.
Mohammed Shami in particular was taken to the cleaners as he shelled 43 runs from 3.5 overs at an economy rate of 11.21. Soon after the game, the Bengal cricketer was subjected to vicious comments on social media from the fans, who even called him a traitor.
Mohammad Shami is an Indian cricketer; a bowler. These are comments on his IG right now, with people claiming he took money from Pakistan that he was playing for Pakistan and helped India lose because he is a Muslim. https://t.co/a9ZK5BEojF
— Sana Saeed (@SanaSaeed) October 24, 2021
However, Mohammed Shami received a fair amount of support as well from a certain section of people, who stood by the cricketer and rejected the vile abuse.
Here are some of the reactions:
The online attack on Mohammad Shami is shocking and we stand by him. He is a champion and Anyone who wears the India cap has India in their hearts far more than any online mob. With you Shami. Agle match mein dikado jalwa.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 25, 2021
Is the Indian cricket team going to take a gratuitous knee for Black Lives Matter, entirely disconnected from the Indian reality, but stay silent on the bigoted online attacks against Mohd Shami? We expect better @imVkohli .
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) October 25, 2021
The islamophobic hate against #shami with aspersions on his patriotism and his commitment to the country. If this and the state enabled hatred against Indian minorities is not worth taking a knee, I don’t know what is @imVkohli @BCCI
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) October 25, 2021
Sanghis have started abusing Md. Shami after the loss.
After the racist attacks against few English players at Euro, the team came in support of them.
India's hockey skipper Rani Rampal criticized casteist remarks against a teammate.
Your move, @imVkohli and everyone else. pic.twitter.com/38Rx1BaA52
— Abhishek Baxi (@baxiabhishek) October 24, 2021
My last cricket thought of the evening is that even when we lose matches, Pakistani fans have a sense of humour about things and a kind of elan. I'm horrified by the vile abuse heaped on Mohammad Shami by his compatriots. The rot of hatred seems to have infected everywhere there
— fatima bhutto (@fbhutto) October 24, 2021
After England's black players were targeted post Euro 2020, Harry Kane had told the racist fans that they're not needed.
Today, Mohammad Shami is being abused after India lost to Pakistan.
Time for India's Hindu players to stand up for their Muslim teammate.#INDvPAK
— Parth MN (@parthpunter) October 24, 2021
Virat Kohli laud Pakistan after defeat against Pakistan
"Will you drop Rohit Sharma from T20Is?" ????@imVkohli had no time for this question following #India's loss to #Pakistan#INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/5ExQVc0tcE
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 25, 2021
Team India captain Virat Kohli credited Pakistan for putting up a brilliant show on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The talismanic run-scorer also conceded that the wicket got easier in the second innings.
“We didn’t execute properly. Credit where it’s due and Pakistan outplayed us today. They started brilliantly with the ball, and 3 wickets for 20 runs was not a good start. We needed wickets early but with the bat they gave us absolutely no chances. It played slow in the first half and hitting through the line was not that easy as it was in the second half, after 10 overs,” Virat Kohli said.
India next play against New Zealand on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
