Pakistani cricket presenter Zainab Abbas speaks up after leaving India

Pakistani cricket presenter Zainab Abbas left India on October 9 due to safety concerns after old tweets surfaced online. She took to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday night to apologize for her tweets.

“I understand and deeply regret the hurt caused by the posts that were circulated. I wish to make clear that they do not represent my values or who I am as a person today. There is no excuse or space for such language, and I sincerely apologise to anyone who was offended,” she wrote.

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— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 12, 2023

She further said, “I have always felt extremely fortunate and grateful for the opportunities to travel and present the sport I love – this one would have been extra special.

My daily interactions with everyone during my stay were kind, cheerful, and with a sense of familiarity – just as I had expected. I was neither asked to leave nor was I deported.

However, I felt intimidated and scared by the reaction that was unfolding online. And even though there was no immediate threat to my safety, my family, and friends from both sides of the border were concerned. I needed some space and time to reflect on what had transpired.Also, I am truly grateful to those who were concerned and reached out during this challenging time.”

According to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Zainab was under a lot of pressure in India after receiving threats.
It is pertinent to mention here that Indian lawyer Vineet Jindal officially lodged a complaint against Zainab Abbas, regarding a series of old tweets which resurfaced on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Vineet Jindal claimed that these anti-Hindu tweets were originally posted approximately nine years ago under the username “Zainablovesrk,” which has since been changed to “ZAbbas Official,” the currently active X account of Zainab Abbas.

The reports of Zainab being deported from India are fake, according to ICC she has left for “personal reasons”.