5 Unexpected Tweets from international cricketers that turned controversial

Shahid Afridi (Photo Source: Twitter)

Cricketers are seen with a lot of respect in the world, and fans expect them to behave responsibly. With the advent of social media, their activities are tracked every moment by avid supporters of the sport. In that environment, cricketers are required to keep their emotions in check every time.

However, there are some incidents to recall when a few cricketers hit the headlines for posting inciting comments on Twitter. In a day and age when every word on the internet incites some reaction, these Tweets understandably made a lot of fans angry.

Here are five controversial tweets from international cricketers:

5. Harbhajan Singh’s tweet war with Adam Gilchrist

In the 2000s, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh’s rivalry with Australian players was quite famous in the cricketing circle. Back in 2001, when India hammered Australia by a 2-1 margin in the home series, Harbhajan became the Player of the Series, for picking up 32 wickets in the series.

His majestic performance in India’s comprehensive 171-run win at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. In the first innings of the do-or-die game, he took a hat trick, in which Adam Gilchrist’s scalp was included. In 2019, when Jasprit Bumrah picked up a hat-trick against the West Indies in Jamaica, Gilchrist, who was the second victim in Harbhajan’s unprecedented spell, recalled his dismissal on Twitter.

Taking to the social media platform, the former Aussie stumper posted a video of the off-spinner’s hat trick and wrote ‘No DRS’ with a sad emoticon. The former India legend gave a fierce reaction to Gilchrist’s post, writing, “Stop crying over the dismissal.”

Harbhajan’s statement on Twitter read, “U think u would have survived for long if not first ball? Stop crying over these things mate..thought u would talk sense after ur playing days.. but few things never change u r the prime example of that. Always crying (sic).”

4. Shoaib Akhtar’s controversial tweet on Kashmir

Shoaib Akhtar was one of the best bowlers during his playing days but along with that, his cricketing career was also surrounded by a lot of controversies. In 2011, the paceman hung up his boots from international cricket, and since then, he has often been seen discussing cricket on the internet and news channels.

In 2020, when COVID-19 engulfed the world with fear, most countries opted to impose a lockdown to fight the battle with the pandemic. At the time of crisis, Shoaib taunted the world with his political post on Twitter. The Pakistan legend took to Twitter and wrote, “Dear World, How is the lockdown? – Kashmir.”

Shoaib’s tweet infuriated Indians and they came heavily on the former speedster for the post. It wasn’t the first time, Shoaib talked about Kashmir. Back in April 2018, he mentioned Kashmir in a tweet while writing about the Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s bail in the illegal poaching case.

Read more: Shoaib Akhtar’s controversial tweet on Kashmir

3. Shahid Afridi’s tweets on Kashmir in 2018

Shahid Afridi played international cricket for Pakistan for 20 years and during his stint, he encountered several controversies with his infamous antics. After his retirement, he grabbed the limelight for his contentious remark on the Kashmir issue several times.

In April 2018, he stirred controversy on Twitter, by censuring India for its policy on Kashmir. Afridi’s post on the social media site read, “Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren’t they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?”

Afridi raked up the Kashmir issue again in May 2022. This time, he lent support to the Kashmiri separatist leader, Yasin Malik. Defending Yasin on Twitter, he wrote, “India’s continued attempts to silence critical voices against its blatant human right abuses are futile. Fabricated charges against #YasinMalik will not put a hold to #Kashmir’s struggle to freedom. Urging the #UN to take notice of unfair & illegal trails against Kashmir leaders.”

2. Waqar Younis’s ‘Big relief for India’ post

Waqar Younis is considered one of the greatest bowlers to play the game of cricket due to his extraordinary international career. From a legendary player like him, cricket supporters always expect wise words but he has consistently created a furore with his reckless remarks.

Ahead of the 2022 Asia Cup clash between India and Pakistan in Dubai, Shaheen Afridi was ruled out of the tournament due to an injury. Reacting to the news, Waqar wrote on Twitter, “Shaheen’s injury Big relief for the Indian top order batsmen. Sad we won’t be seeing him in #AsiaCup2022 Get fit soon Champ @iShaheenAfridi.

Waqar’s tweet angered Team India fans and they reminded him of India’s dominance over Pakistan in the International Cricket Council (ICC) events. Former India pacer Irfan Pathan also gave a savage response to Younis, writing, “It’s a relief of other teams that Bumrah and Harshal aren’t playing this Asia cup!”

Also Read: Irfan Pathan gives a savage reply to Waqar Younis

1. Mushfiqur Rahim’s tweet celebrating India’s loss in the 2016 T20 World Cup semi-final

Bangladesh wicketkeeper batter Mushfiqur Rahim isn’t strange to controversies but in 2016, he displayed unsportsmanlike behaviour on Twitter, after India’s seven-wicket defeat at the hands of the West Indies in the 2016 T20 World Cup semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium.

Expressing his joy at India’s loss against the Windies side, he wrote, “Happiness is this….!!!!!! #ha ha ha…!!!! India lost in the semifinal.” The veteran Bangla player deleted his tweet later but couldn’t escape criticism from Team India supporters. Later, he also tried to handle the matter with another tweet stating, “Sorry to all of you guys…as i am a big West Indies supporter but anyway sorry again for some harsh words…!!!!