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Cricket fans unite to defend Sarfaraz Ahmed against the man who harassed him on camera

Cricket fans unite to defend Sarfaraz Ahmed against the man who harassed him on camera

No matter how badly a cricket team performs, that doesn't give fans the right to abuse or stalk athletes.
22 Jun, 2019

No Pakistani cricket fan was happy with the outcome of last week's India-Pakistan match at the ICC World Cup, but some people are are taking their frustration to dangerous extremes.

Last night a video began circulating on social media that showed Pakistani cricket captain Sarfaraz Ahmed being verbally harassed and followed by a man in what appears to be a shopping mall in the UK. The video was actually shot by the man in question on his phone. In the video the man insults Sarfaraz Ahmed and attempts to follow him as he walks away.

Not only that, but it appears that Sarfaraz Ahmed was carrying his child at the time.

As the video began circulating commentators criticised the abuser for a gross breach of privacy and etiquette, and even attempted to notify local authorities.

Many lauded the Pakistani cricket captain for staying calm during the verbal abuse, and used the hashtag #WeSupportSarfaraz.

Thanks to the backlash, hours after the video went viral the man who recorded it released a video message apologising for his behaviour. He said that after the incident Sarfaraz Ahmed has come up to talk to him and that he had apologised to the cricket captain. He also said he had deleted the video, and that he didn't know how it had spread online.

"I am also a Pakistani, I ask for forgiveness, I didn't know the consequences of my actions would be so large," said the man.

The incident raises questions about how social media is often abused by people who don't seem to understand the psychological and material impact of online bullying. We hope the man in question learns from this - and that similar harassment doesn't impact the cricket team in future.

Comments

SMI Jun 22, 2019 02:36pm
This person should be send back to Pakistan and if he is an immigrant then his immigration should be suspended for sometime with haffty fees as punishment
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Jabba Jun 22, 2019 02:57pm
This is a clear case of harassment. As much as I hate Sarfaraz's tactics in World Cup, I can't imagine hurling personal insults on him. Doing that while he was with his young child is shameful and should be a punishable crime if it is not already.
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Laila Jun 22, 2019 03:02pm
This is absolutely appalling. That fool is following a man with his child and abusing him. What the hell. You don't do that. He has a private life too and is entitled to shop and go out without that mentally challenged individual harassing him. There was very disturbing to watch. I would have smacked that mobile right out of your hand if I was Sarfaraz with my kid. And stomped on it too. You are not allowed to single out people and film them like this. It's actually illegal.
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Tanveer Hasan Jun 22, 2019 03:31pm
Sarfraz Ahmed is not sole responsible for team's failure. Those who are using abusive language against him are ill mannered individuals coming from families, where no one is taught about ethics and respect for humans. We will keep supporting Sarfraz against all biased and ethnic elements.
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Charu Jun 22, 2019 05:26pm
Unbelievable....this is shameful. The guy should introspect, atleast Sarfaraz has done done better in life than being a mindless troll
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Anon Jun 22, 2019 06:11pm
Yes, it does.
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Zak Jun 22, 2019 08:35pm
All fans should stop it. Let the team be.
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khan Jun 23, 2019 11:33pm
the onus is on mr. sarfaraz, pcb andvgovernment
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