‘Never told to go to Pak’, Irfan Pathan lashes out at attacks on Shami for being Muslim

Trigger Warning: This story contains abusive language

Mohammad Shami, who is the only Muslim player in India’s playing XI has been on the receiving end of abuse on social media after India lost to Pakistan yesterday. The Indian player is being subjected to abuse on the basis of his religion, with people accusing him of being a traitor.

The match finished in the 18th over, which was bowled by Shami. He gave 43 runs in 3.5 overs.

Have a look at some of the abusive comments:

Former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan came to Shami’s defence.

“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,” he wrote in a tweet.

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

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 25, 2021

Some other Indian cricketers, politicians and journalists tweeted in support of Shami:

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

Criticising is fine but khiladiyon ko abuse nahi karna chahiye. Ye game hai, better team on that day won. Inhi cricketers ne India ko bohot matches jitaye hain pichle kuch saalon mein. Aur haar kar jeetne wale ko hi baazigar kehte hai na! #indiaVsPakistan #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup21 pic.twitter.com/cLqNmbRQ9T

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) October 25, 2021

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. 🤨

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 25, 2021

#MohammedShami was one of 11 players who lost last night, he wasn’t the only player on the field. Team India your BLM knee taking counts for nothing if you can’t stand up for your team mate who is being horribly abused & trolled on social media.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) 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