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In the aftermath of Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup, a video of Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf embroiled in a public altercation with a group of fans in the USA has gone viral, sparking widespread reactions on social media. The incident, which occurred outside Pakistan’s team hotel, has attracted significant attention, especially after Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan‘s tweet in support of his teammate led to controversy.
The confrontation took place following Pakistan’s shocking defeat to newcomers USA and a subsequent loss to arch-rivals India, which resulted in their group-stage exit from the tournament. The video shows an agitated Haris Rauf charging at an individual in a blue T-shirt, with his wife’s attempts to restrain him proving futile. The altercation appeared to be triggered by inappropriate comments made by one of the fans, although the exact cause remains unclear.
In the video, Rauf is seen arguing vehemently with the fan, who claimed he merely wanted a selfie. Rauf’s repeated shouts of “Tera India nahi hai yeh (This is not your India)” led to the individual clarifying, “Pakistan se hu (I’m from Pakistan),” adding a complex layer to the incident.
Following the altercation, Mohammad Rizwan, along with other former and current Pakistani players, publicly supported Rauf. However, Rizwan’s tweet, which mentioned India’s name, did not sit well with Indian fans. Rizwan wrote, “It is irrelevant whether the person who disrespected Haris Rauf was from Pakistan or India. What truly matters is that this individual lacked values and manners. No one has the right to disrespect any human being, especially in front of their family members. Such appalling behavior must be stopped. Values like tolerance, respect, and compassion are increasingly rare commodities.”
This tweet led to a significant backlash from Indian fans, who felt that dragging India’s name into the situation was unnecessary and provocative. Many took to social media to express their displeasure and criticize Rizwan for his comments.
In response to the growing controversy, Haris Rauf released a statement addressing the incident: “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.”
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the fan’s behavior and demanded an apology to Rauf. He hinted at potential legal action if the individual failed to apologize, stating, “Strongly condemn the appalling incident involving Haris Rauf. Such actions against our players are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Those who are involved must immediately apologize to Haris Rauf, failing which we will pursue legal action against the individual responsible.”
The incident and subsequent social media fallout have highlighted the heightened emotions and nationalistic sentiments often associated with cricket in the subcontinent. As the T20 World Cup progresses, the focus will hopefully shift back to the game itself, allowing players and fans alike to move past this controversy.
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