Karachi, November 12
Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali, who has been facing online abuse after dropping a crucial catch in the T20 World Cup semifinal loss to Australia, has got full support from the country’s cricket stalwarts such Wasim Akram and Misbah-ul-Haq.
Matthew Wade was dropped by Ali off Shaheen Shah Afridi in the penultimate over. Wade responded by hitting three sixes to complete the winning chase. Ali also conceded 44 runs from four overs.
Ali faced online abuse by Pakistani fans, with many calling him a traitor and others accusing him of match-fixing as his wife is Indian. Many wrote that Ali cost Pakistan the match because he was a Shia Muslim. Pakistan is a Sunni-majority country.
Support from former players
However, Pakistan’s former captains Akram, Waqar Younis, Rashid Latif, Misbah and Inzamam-ul-Haq backed Ali and said it would be unfair to hold him responsible for Pakistan’s five-wicket defeat on Thursday night.
“I don’t understand why one player should be singled out. Hasan has been an outstanding performer for us and won us matches. Anyone can drop catches or have an off-day…does that make him a bad player,” said Akram. “What we don’t want is that the whole country gets after poor Hasan Ali now. In other countries, it’s just a game for people. Next day, you say well tried, bad luck, better luck next time, and move on,” he added. — Agencies
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