Picture Credit: Twitter
The second India-Pakistan game in the 2022 Asia Cup had all the makings of a blockbuster with high-intensity action, incredible skill and emotions. The Pakistanis edged ahead in a nail-biting finish as they chased down the massive total of 182 with one ball to spare.
For India, one of the biggest reasons for their defeat was the dropped catch by pacer Arshdeep Singh, who also bowled the final over. Because of this mistake, the youngster was subjected to a lot of hate on multiple social media platforms. However, many fellow cricketers came out in support of the Punjab Kings bowler, including former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez.
The top-order batter urged the Indian fans to not humiliate Arshdeep for his mistakes as in sports, people can get things wrong once in a while. Hafeez on Twitter said, “My request to all Indian team fans. In sports, we make mistakes as we r human. Please don’t humiliate anyone on these mistakes. @arshdeepsinghh.”
My request to all Indian team fans. In sports we make mistakes as we r human. Please don’t humiliate anyone on these mistakes. @arshdeepsinghh
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) September 4, 2022
Like Mohammad Hafeez, former India captain Virat Kohli, who scored 60 from 44 balls in first innings, also backed Arshdeep Singh and explained the emotions a cricketer goes through when he/she commits a game-costing mistake. Kohli gave a few examples from his own career when he faltered and was in a bad space.
"Anyone can make the mistake, the situation was tight. It was a high-pressure game and mistakes can happen. I still remember I was playing my first Champions Trophy and the match was against Pakistan, I had played a very bad shot against Shahid Afridi. I was watching the ceiling till 5 am, I was not able to sleep and I thought my career is over but these things are natural," Kohli said in a post-match press conference.
"Seniors players get around you, there is a good team environment right now, I give the credit to the captain and coach. The players learn from their mistakes. So one must accept his mistake, address it and look forward to being in that pressure situation once again," he added.
