The first T20I got an immense build-up on Twitter as fans waited in anticipation of cricket to return to the Pakistan with World XI taking an initiative. But somehow Indian skipper Virat Kohli became the focal point when former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi felt that it would have been better with players like Kohli and MS Dhoni in the World XI playing at Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore. Even Pakistan Twitterati felt that Indian players’ presence would have made the historic match more special.
Indian players have not toured Pakistan for a long time because of the unrest between the two countries and cricket fans have surely missed the two teams. Especially Pakistan who have barely seen cricket being played on their home ground. This is probably the first time a World XI side has no Indian in it. BCCI too has taken a stand not to send Indian players to tour Pakistan because of the differences between the two countries.
Australian journalist tried to make the most of the situations as Pakistan take on World XI without any Indian player. He tried to take on Kohli who is taking some time off ahead of the limited overs series against Australia. He tweeted a photo of Kohli sweeping the floors of the stadium which was clicked during a Swachh Bharat Abhiyan event.
Here’s his tweet-
Sweepers clean the stadium in readiness for the World XI match pic.twitter.com/QWzzW13OFc
— Worldennis XI (@DennisCricket_) September 12, 2017
But Kohli has his fans all over the world, Pakistanis love him for his stature in the game and the way he goes on about India vs Pakistan matches. They walloped the Australian journalist, there are no boundaries between the two countries on Twitter when it comes to cricket.
Here are a few replies to the Australian journalist’s tweets-
Have some respect, cricket ko b politics jesa ganda na banao!
— Superna Batheja (@SupernaBatheja) September 12, 2017
I reject this nonsense , respect for big names ,big players of cricket ,from Pakistan.
— Ahsan (@LovePak1stan) September 12, 2017
We love cricket, we love these legends. Respect from Pakistan.
— Naeem shah (@Naeemshah99) September 12, 2017
Don’t make fun of legend of cricket. Really miss him in world XI
— Hope (@Waqaralisayyed) September 12, 2017
If you can’t do anything good then please don’t disrespect those who are willing to do good things
— Abdur Rauf (@07_rauf) September 12, 2017
I think he desrve some respct yr….he is more than talented n rational guy….ksi or lga dena tha na
— Aqib Munir (@NiceAqib) September 12, 2017
No bro thats bad habnit we should respect
— Sameer Khan (@sameershona786) September 12, 2017
Twitter is a strange platform but it never fails to surprise. A place where Kohli is defended by Pakistani fans. Though it is to be noted that Australian journalist left no stone unturned to disrespect Kohli during Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2017 and even compared him to US President Donald Trump and animals.
