After Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s cricket team’s star pacer Shaheen Afridi has become the target of Indian fans after expressing solidarity with his teammate Haris Rauf following his ugly fight with a fan outside his team hotel in Florida, USA.
In the viral video, Rauf was seen walking with his wife when a group of people started taunting the pacer for Pakistan’s performance in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 after requesting an autograph.
However, how the incident began remains unspecified, but Rauf was very upset following a verbal exchange with the fan and he even was just about to hit the fan.
Shaheen Afridi criticized by Indian fans for backing Haris Rauf
During the altercation, Rauf can be heard shouting at the fan, ‘India se hoga’, to which the fan responds, ‘Pakistan se hu.’ Later, the Pakistani cricketer revealed that the fans abused him and insulted his family, so he lost his cool, with many slamming him for his reaction on social media.
Meanwhile, Afridi condemned the treatment of Rauf, labeling it disgraceful and emphasizing that no one should degrade another person. He urged Rauf to stay strong while advocating for unity and respect among players with his X post.
Shaheen Afridi posted on X: “It is absolutely disgraceful how Haris Rauf was treated. No one has the right to belittle and disrespect another person. I’m also shocked by those who have shared this video. Why prioritize a few likes over our humanity? Stay strong, Haris. We stand united with you.”
It is absolutely disgraceful how Haris Rauf was treated. No one has the right to belittle and disrespect another person. I’m also shocked by those who have shared this video. Why prioritize a few likes over our humanity? Stay strong, Haris. We stand united with you.
— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) June 18, 2024
However, Afridi’s comments quickly drew backlash, particularly from Indian fans who criticized him for talking about disgrace and overlooking Rauf’s mistake to unnecessarily drag India during his fight with the Pakistani fan.
Fans accused Afridi of hypocrisy and selective empathy, with many arguing that it was just a PR stunt to seek sympathy for their T20 World Cup 2024 flop. Others maintained that accountability for past misconduct should not be ignored, regardless of current circumstances.
Some fans on social media slammed Afridi for talking about unity, which has already created a lot of stir following head coach Gary Kirsten’s stunning leaked statements. The fans slammed the pacer by questioning why they didn’t maintain peace and unity within the team, terming it fake sympathy.
Here’s how fans reacted to Shaheen Afridi’s post for Haris Rauf –
Fans learn from their idols and pakistani fans have the worst idols who think they’ve won the world after minor achievements and behave like this. pic.twitter.com/kjWuPS6e0o
— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) June 18, 2024
Shaheen ?
Can you tell in detail who behaved disrespectfully with Rauf ?Kohli , rohit, finn Allen , nitish Kumar
Mitch marsh pic.twitter.com/QbL4Wetd0g— sujay anand (@imsujayanand) June 18, 2024
No one is standing for people who stand with #AsimMunir and his touts !! pic.twitter.com/BDNmFQVtPC
— Fact_Fiction ⚔️ (@FactFiction11) June 18, 2024
No one is standing for people who stand with #AsimMunir and his touts !! pic.twitter.com/BDNmFQVtPC
— Fact_Fiction ⚔️ (@FactFiction11) June 18, 2024
Paki cricketers are hyping that incident as if another 9/11 happened in America. LOL, if Haris Rauf hadn’t reacted at that time, nothing would have happened. And you guys lost the match to the 18th ranked team & knocked out of the WC before the Super 8. So don’t try to divert…
— Sir BoiesX (@BoiesX45) June 18, 2024
Hello lumber 1
Remember this?
Thats karma pic.twitter.com/GwPaFSvWli— Secular Chad (@SachabhartiyaRW) June 18, 2024
You should have stood united as a team with each other while performing in the World Cup because that’s the job you get paid for!!
— Asad Malik (@aasadbashir) June 18, 2024
First you guys couldn’t handle the comments
Second why on earth he dragged india in conversation
Utter nonsense— Secular Chad (@SachabhartiyaRW) June 18, 2024
Pakistan has exited from World Cup. Rauf is trying to gain attention by being victim of harrassment from India even though that guy seems to be telling him that he is Pakistani
— Rajput P (@THOR0121) June 18, 2024
Isse jyada to brutal tab tha jab kohli ne ise MCG me 2 six lagaye the . Tab q ni post Kiya We stand with u Harish
— Shreyaa (@callmeeshreya) June 18, 2024
Earlier, Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan faced the backlash from Indian fans for his social media post for Rauf. He strongly condemned fan’s actions and behavior towards an international player, saying such appalling behavior must be stopped. Rizwan said that it does not matter if the fan is from Pakistan or India; the lack of manners and values was disgraceful, and no one has the right to act the way they did to Rauf.
Later, Haris clarified his stance by stating on X: “As public figures, we are open to receiving all kinds of feedback from the public. They are entitled to support or criticize us. Nevertheless, when it comes to my parent and my family, I will not hesitate to respond accordingly.”
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