Chennai: In a double blow to Pakistan, Ibrahim Zadran dedicated his Man of the Match award to Afghanistan refugees evicted by Pakistan.
“I want to dedicate this Man of the Match to those people who were sent from Pakistan to back home Afghanistan,” Zadran told Star Sports at the post-match ceremony here late Monday night.
This comment comes following Afghanistan defeating Pakistan by eight wickets in a second biggest upset by the Afghans in this World Cup. And, he made this comment in the presence of Ramiz Raja, former Chairperson of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
According to official Pakistan reports, tens of thousands of Afghan nationals have left Pakistan, returning to Afghanistan this month following a government deadline for foreigners without documentation to leave by November 1 or face deportation.
Zadran’s remarks have evoked sharp reactions by people on social media. “Dear haters please note. Ibrahim Zadran the MoM has dedicated his award to Afghans who were persecuted and forcibly being sent back from Pakistan to Afghanistan,” said Rishi Bagree, a social media user.
Another social media user called Zadran’s move another ‘blow’ to Pakistanis. Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran dedicated his Man of the Match award to the Afghani refugees evicted by Pakistan…Double blow to Pakistanis,” he said in a tweet.
Hardik Rajgor, another social media user, lauded Zadran for dedicating the victory to Afghan refugees who were forcibly evicted from Pakistan to Afghanistan. He, however, deplored that no Indian cricketer has ever talked about the persecution of Hindus in Pakistan.
