Mohammed Shami, an Indian cricket team member, and bowler has been the latest victim of online bullying. Shami has been receiving hate and abusive comments on different social media platforms after India’s loss to Pakistan in the T20 World Cup match. Shami is being asked to leave for Pakistan for his poor performance.
The Indian cricket team and the former players stood in support of him amid the extensive abuse. Former Indian cricket team player and legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar joined Mohammed Shami’s supporters amid the online abuse for the latter.
Shami was subject to severe online troll and abuse following team India’s defeat against Pakistan in their opening match of the 2021 T20 World Cup. The 10-wicket defeat match happened on Sunday in Dubai.
Sachin stated that supporting the team of Indian cricket means supporting every member of the team. He added that Shami is one committed and world-class bowler, saying that Shami had an off day just like any other player, be it any sports. “I stand behind Shami & Team India,” read Sachin’s tweet.
Shami was among the expensive bowlers of the team. He gave 43 runs off 3.5 overs. Shami ended with an economy of 11 after the match and soon became the victim of online abuse. This big defeat happens to be India’s first against Pakistan in the history of the World Cup.
Pakistan skipper and Captain Babar Azam chose to bowl post winning the toss. India could put up a total of 151 runs in the twenty overs with three wickets remaining. Pakistan chased the 152-run target in 17.2 overs and won the match. The team’s openers Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam smashed the fifties and finished the match off within twenty overs and without losing a wicket.
Shami soon faces the brunt of an online mob, as he received several abusive comments from different people. Most comments were posted beneath his own posts on different social media platforms. Several former and fellow cricketers came out in support of Shami post the trolls.
Sachin’s long-time teammate and fellow member of the Indian cricket team, Virendra Sehwag also extended his support. “The online attack on Mohammad Shami is shocking, and we stand by him,” read Sehwag’s tweet. Encouraging Shami to show his potential in the next match, Sehwag added that every player wearing the Indian cap has the nation in their hearts more than these online abusers.
Meanwhile, former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also extended his support to Shami through his tweet saying that Shami is loved. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal also tweeted in support of Shami, saying that the country is proud of the latter.
Pathan brothers Irfan and Yusuf also extended their support to Shami. The latter stated that cricketers can be criticized but not abused. Irfan Pathan criticized abusers saying that he’s also played against Pakistan and was also a part of the lost matches, but was never asked to leave the country. Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman urged people to support Shami and the Indian team.