Team India’s 8th win over Pakistan in the ODI World Cup history was widely celebrated among Indian fans. Rohit Sharma & Co thrashed arch-rivals to register the neighbors to continue their winning streak in the ongoing tournament. More than a hundred thousand people, who had arrived at the Narendra Modi Stadium, cheered for the men in blue but at the same time, some of them also mocked the Pakistan players which drew immense criticism on social media.
People booing Pakistan captain Babar Azam and chanting ‘Jai Shree Ram’ to taunt Muhammad Rizwan while he was returning to the dressing room were a few instances that didn’t go well among a section of fans. Amid the ongoing debates, a video of Shahid Afridi is going viral in which the former Pakistan captain could be heard speaking of mutual respect among neighbors.
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“Who is denying? India but not Pakistan. Aap India ki team ko bhejiye to sahi, hum unhein Sar ankhon par rakhenge (You send the Indian team to Pakistan and we will offer them the best-ever treatment,” Shahid Afridi had said.
The #PAKvIND cricket rivalry has always been an intense one but both nations shouldn’t mix religion and politics with sports because at the end it’s just a game. @SAfridiOfficial Shahid Afridi has always given the message of love and peace across the border. He said it “Indian… pic.twitter.com/tdszxdAvCp
— Maham Gillani (@DheetAfridian) October 16, 2023
Afridi’s words are a reminder that sport should be a platform for unity and friendship, not hatred and division. It is important to respect the players and fans of all teams, regardless of their nationality.
The incident of booing and taunting the Pakistani players is unfortunate and should not be condoned. It is important to remember that cricket is a sport for everyone, and we should all strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans.
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Team India’s victory over Pakistan was a great achievement, and it is understandable that fans would be excited and celebratory. However, it is important to do so in a respectful manner. We should all be proud of our team’s accomplishments, but we should also be mindful of our words and actions’ impact on others.
