During the Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, the only Muslim player in the national cricket team, faced a barrage of abusive messages following his side’s loss against old Pakistan.
The Muslim Voice findings revealed that, violence against Muslims in India occur after the emphatic Pakistan’s first 10-wicket win against India at any World Cup.
Since their independence from the British in 1947 India and Pakistan have fought three wars while cricket clashes often occur between both nations and this event may spring up tensions.
Shami 31, became the main target after conceding 43 runs from his 3.5 overs in the defeat in Dubai, even though India captain Virat Kohli acknowledged that his side had been “outplayed.”
Hundreds of messages were left on Shami’s Instagram account saying he was a “traitor” and should be thrown out of the Indian team. Some posters even called him a “Pakistani”, suggesting he should be thrown out of the Indian team.
Meanwhile, many fans and politicians also urged support for him, calling on Indian players to reject the hate messages.
Hailing from a remote village in Uttar Pradesh, born to a fast-bowler-turned-farmer, Mohammed Shami’s father spotted a spark in only one of his five children (all aspiring fast bowlers) and took him to a renowned coach in Moradabad, the closest city to their village. A bundle of energy, he was known to be a hard-worker full of stamina and trained like a workhorse under the watchful eye of Badruddin Siddique.
