Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has expressed his solidarity with the people of Gaza, conveying deep concern about the ongoing conflict and the challenges faced by Palestinian Muslims. Azam shared a poignant image on X (formerly Twitter) featuring a young girl holding the Palestinian flag and a doll.
اے خاصہ خاصان رسل وقت دعا ہے
امت پہ تیری آ کے عجب وقت پڑا ہے#Gaza pic.twitter.com/nqwMAib7ww— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) November 17, 2023
This was for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. 🤲🏼
Happy to contribute in the win. Credits to the whole team and especially Abdullah Shafique and Hassan Ali for making it easier.
Extremely grateful to the people of Hyderabad for the amazing hospitality and support throughout.
— Muhammad Rizwan (@iMRizwanPak) October 11, 2023
The gesture follows a similar expression of empathy from another Pakistani cricketer, Mohammad Rizwan, after his match-winning performance against Sri Lanka in the ICC World Cup 2023. Rizwan, who scored an unbeaten 131 runs in a historic run chase, dedicated the victory to the people of Gaza. His tweet highlighted the team effort and acknowledged the contributions of Abdullah Shafique and Hassan Ali.
Also Read: Cricket World Reaction to Babar Azam Stepping Down as Captain
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly requested Rizwan to remove the social media post dedicating the victory to Palestinians. The PCB cited the involvement of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its legal department in handling the matter, indicating potential regulatory considerations.
When questioned about the situation, a PCB representative emphasized the need for ICC involvement and legal perspectives in resolving the issue, citing limited access to specific information. The incident underlines the intersection of sports, social issues, and the challenges faced by athletes in expressing their views on sensitive geopolitical matters.
