Mohammed Shami has come out in support of young fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, who has been subjected to vilified comments on social media, after India’s Super 4 clash against Pakistan on Sunday. The Men in Green beat Rohit Sharma and Co. by five wickets in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 in Dubai.
Chasing a mammoth target of 182, Muhammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz put Pakistan on track with a 73-run stand for the third wicket. Left-handed batter Nawaz (71 off 51), who was promoted to No. 4 to negate the Indian leg-spinners, smashed a 20-ball 42 to bring the target within reach.
India, however, bounced back with a few economical overs before the momentum shifted towards Pakistan. Arshdeep dropped Asif Ali’s catch off Ravi Bishnoi’s bowling in the 18th over. The young left-arm pacer looked casual in his approach as he dropped a dolly in the short third-man area.
Arshdeep is a strong character. Stay that way boy. @arshdeepsinghh
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 4, 2022
Ali, who had scored just one run then, smashed 16 off eight balls to tilt the match in his side’s favor. Several Indian fans targeted Arshdeep’s religion and slammed the youngster following India’s defeat. Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has become the latest to show solidarity with Arshdeep.
“They only live to troll us, have no other job. When we perform well they don’t say you took a good catch but will troll us?” Shami said to Times Now. “Agar dam hai toh real accounts se aaye na, fake account se toh koi bhi msg kar sakta hai (If you have the audacity, then comes from real accounts; anyone can message from fake accounts,)” he added.
“Don’t let this hamper you” – Mohammed Shami to Arshdeep Singh
Mohammed Shami went on to say that he has also experienced trolling in the past but his country has always stood up for him. He also backed Arshdeep to shine in the future.
“I’ve faced this and it doesn’t affect me because my country stands up for me. I’ll only say to Arshdeep , don’t let this hamper you because your talent is immense,” Shami concluded.
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