Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has backed India speedster Mohammad Shami, who has faced vicious slurs on social media after India’s 10-wicket defeat against Pakistan on Sunday. Kaif, however, has said that targeting a person’s religion and faith is not at all pardonable.

In his column for india.com, Mohammad Kaif wrote: “It is painful to see the ugly spats between former players and the very disappointing behaviour of the fans on social media. I have been witnessing how Mohammad Shami was trolled after the game against Pakistan. I have played enough cricket to understand that the fans do get angry when their team loses a game by a big margin.”

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He continued: “I also get it that since the fans have invested so much in the team and players that they earn the right to criticise them. A batsman getting out for zero or a bowler getting hit for a six will always face abuse – be it in a World Cup clash against Pakistan or an under-arm gully cricket game. But targeting someone for his or her faith, asking them to leave the country is uncalled for and unpardonable.”

Notably, Mohammad Shami has been targeted on social media after he conceded 43 runs from 3.5 overs against Pakistan as they chased down 152 runs with 13 balls in hand. However, he will look to bounce back in form during India’s next match against New Zealand on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

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“It’s been a few days since the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup 2021 match but there is one frame that has stayed with me. The picture of Virat Kohli warmly shaking Babar Azam’s hands and later encouraging the other unbeaten Pakistan batsman Mohammad Rizwan by ruffling his hair was my takeaway from the action-packed game. It brought to mind my playing days and those India-Pakistan games,” Mohammad Kaif concluded.