The social media platforms have become the battleground for former India and Pakistani cricketers as tension rises between the two nations after the Pahalgam terror attack. At least 26 people lost their lives in the ghastly terrorist attack on the tourists in the Baisaran valley of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April.
The latest terror attack, the biggest in India since the 2019 Pulawama which results in the death of 40 CRPF personnel, has resulted in multiple flare ups on the border as unprovoked cross-border firing has taken place for six straight days now at several locations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
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Meanwhile, India has also implemented multiple non-military actions against Pakistan in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack. It has suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals and closed the Attari land transit post.
As expected, the focus has also turned to cricket, as it so often happens, with fans urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to enforce a complete boycott of Pakistan. The BCCI reportedly has no plans to take any action in a hurry as India only play against Pakistan in ICC events and the next global event is at least four months to go.
Pakistan cricketers turn social media into battleground vs India
Nonetheless, tempers have been running high, with emotions taking over as former cricketers turn social media into a battleground — trading jibes, hurling insults and flaunting their nationalism.
The biggest social media clash between cricketers took place after former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi targeted the Indian Army, accusing them of failing their citizens, resulting in a hard-hitting reply from Shikhar Dhawan.
“Even if a cracker bursts in India, they blame it on Pakistan. You have an 8 lakh-strong army in Kashmir, yet this happened. This means you are useless, not being able to provide security to people,” Afridi said on Pakistani news channel Samaa TV.
Reacting to Afridi’s comments in Pakistani media, former Indian batter Dhawan reminded Afridi of the Kargil war defeat and asked him to focus on his country’s progress.
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“We defeated you even in Kargil. You have already stooped so low – how much lower will you go? Instead of making pointless comments, it would be better if you used your mind for your country’s progress, @SAfridiOfficial. We are extremely proud of our Indian Army. Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Jai Hind!” Dhawan wrote on X.
Afridi hit back on Tuesday by referring to Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan in 2019.
“Chouro jeet haar ko , aao tumhey chae pilata hun Shikhar (Forget about winning and losing, come I’ll serve you tea, Shikhar),” Afridi wrote in reply to Dhawan’s post with a picture of him wearing a camouflage shirt.
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Former Pakistan pacer Junaid Khan has also been quite active on the social media platform X, trying to provoke Indian fans.
“Padosioo, cricket ki tarah yeh bhi hybrid model hoga? (Neighbours, will this happen also in hybrid model like cricket?) 🤔 #FantasticTea #PakistanZindabad,” he wrote in a post talking about the possibility of a war between India and Pakistan.
A video of former Pakistan wicket-keeper Moin Khan is also doing the rounds on social media, where he can be seen warning India that any action will lead to the loss of more lives.
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“I want to send a loud and clear message to all those forces spreading false propaganda against Pakistan in India. Pakistan never attacks the unarmed. India has always blamed Pakistan for its false flag operations. When it comes to national integrity, the nation of Pakistan always stands with its army,” Khan said.
“And under the leadership of General Asim Munir, we are all one and are in a position to give a strong response. So it’s a request to you all to not indulge in stupidity because we in Pakistan tend to become united when it comes to matters such as these. So it’s better to avoid things that could lead to the loss of lives.”
Danish Kaneria slams Pakistan and Afridi
While Indian cricketers have shown little interest in engaging with their Pakistan counterparts, Danish Kaneria has been quite critical of his country.
The former Pakistan leg-spinner, who has earlier accused the national team of religious discrimination, said Afridi should not be given a platform as he has “consistently aligned himself with extremist views”.
“He has consistently aligned himself with extremist views. In my opinion, he should not be given a platform on Indian television or within the country. Additionally, he tried to persuade me to convert to Islam and declined to share a meal with me, which I found deeply disrespectful,” Kaneria wrote on X while criticising Afridi’s anti-Indian Army remarks.
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In another post, he also said that the Phalagam attack was a “state-sponsored terrorism” from Pakistan.
“When the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan calls terrorists “freedom fighters,” it’s not just a disgrace — it’s an open admission of state-sponsored terrorism.”
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Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has claimed on social media that India could launch an attack on his country “within the next 24 to 36 hours”.
Tarar’s claims have come after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a meeting with top defence officials on Tuesday. The news agency PTI has claimed that the PM has given “complete operational freedom” to the Indian Army to decide their response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
