ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) asked wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan to delete his social media post in which he dedicated the team’s historic win against Sri Lanka to the Palestinians facing genocide by Israel.
However, when contacted, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Cricket Board said, “the International Cricket Council and the PCB’s legal department are relevant here as I am not privy to this information”.
Rizwan tweeted on 11th October, a day after his knock of 131 (not out) in the highest run chase ever in Cricket World Cup history. The tweet was, “This was for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Happy to contribute in the win.”
A player in the Pakistan cricket team on condition of not being named also said that the PCB was under pressure from the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the social media post but Rizwan refused to delete it.
Israel has tightened its blockade and bombarded Gaza for nearly four weeks in retaliation for the October 7 attack by Hamas that Israeli authorities say killed 1,400.
A Gaza health official said on Sunday more than 9,770 Palestinians have been killed in the war.
Other Pakistan cricketers had also voiced their solidarity with Palestine after Israel continued inhumane attacks on innocent Palestinians.
Men cricketers, who are currently in India for the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023, posted Palestine flags on X (formerly Twitter).
All-rounders Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and leg-spinner Usama Mir shared their support for the innocent Palestinians and hoped for peace.
Through Instagram stories, posts, and tweets, many sports stars have been utilising their influential voices to draw attention to the increasingly desperate plight of Palestinians and the need for peace in the region.
Kasim Abbasi- Mohammad Rizwan