Sachin Tendulkar, Virendra Sehwag came to Shami Rescue after India lost its first match against Pakistan in T20 World Cup
India lost their first World Cup encounter to Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, with Shami taking 0-43 from 3.5 overs.
Shami was insulted on social media following India’s crushing defeat, and cricket star Virender Sehwag characterised the “attack” from the “online mob” as “shocking.”
The former India opener said on Twitter, ‘The internet abuse on Mohammad Shami is disgusting, and we stand by him.’
‘He is a champion, and anyone wearing an India cap has India in their hearts far more than any online mob.’ Shami, I’m with you.’
‘Those bursting fireworks on Pakistan winning can’t be Indian,’ said ex-India captain Gautam Gambhir. ‘Our boys are safe with us!’
India was one of the favourites to win the T20 World Cup going into the tournament, but they were embarrassed in their first match.
Quick with the left arm India fell to 6-2 after Shaheen Shah Afridi got two wickets in his first two overs, but Virat Kohli fought back with a confident half-century.
Rishabh Pant, the wicketkeeper, also hit 39 from 30 balls, but Pakistan knocked off India’s 151-7 without losing a wicket, with Mohammad Rizwan scoring 79 and Babar Azam scoring 68.
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
‘I credit those early wickets from our bowlers, Shaheen’s wickets gave us confidence, and then the spinners played with confidence, and we were satisfied with our death bowling as well,’ Pakistan captain Babar remarked.
‘We’ll take it one match at a time,’ says the coach, ‘since there’s still a long way to go in this tournament.’
‘We did not execute the things we wanted to, but credit where credit is due,’ India’s Kohli said. Today, Pakistan clearly outplayed us.
‘We knew we needed a competitive total, but they didn’t take any chances with us and were very professional.’
‘We are not a panic-stricken group. It’s the beginning of the tournament, not the end, so maintain your composure.’
Both India and Pakistan will play New Zealand next, with Babar Azam’s team taking on the Black Caps on Tuesday and Kohli’s team taking on the Black Caps on Sunday.
Even Sachin Tendulkar came to Shami’s support by saying he is a world-class player.
When we support #TeamIndia, we support every person who represents Team India. @MdShami11 is a committed, world-class bowler. He had an off day like any other sportsperson can have.
I stand behind Shami & Team India.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 25, 2021
