Indian fast bowler, Mohammad Shami the only Muslim player in India’s team was the victim of vicious online abuse and hate messages after India’s defeat to Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.
Shami was the target of a number of abusive comments on social media, particularly on his own posts.
Some of the netizens even wrote abusive comments on social media. One of the social media users wrote, “Bloody Pakistani in Team India”.
Another person wrote, “A Muslim sided with Pakistan. How much money did you receive?”.
Former cricketer Virendra Sehwag tweeted in supported of the pacer.
Aakash Chopra, took to Twitter and wrote, “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.”
Irfan Pathan too was shocked with the way things unfolded after the match. “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 ‘India’ of few years back. THIS CRAP NEEDS TO STOP. #Shami,” Irfan Pathan wrote.
Some of the netizens also spoke in favour of Mohammad Shami. One of them wrote, ” Please don’t post unwanted comments. Anything can happen it’s a game. Stop hating him”.
Violence against Muslims in India was also reported after Pakistan’s first win against India at World Cup.