Islamabad United’s captain, Shadab Khan, has expressed his disappointment with the treatment of teammate Imad Wasim by the crowd during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine.
Imad Wasim has faced unsettling chants of ‘Babar, Babar’ from the crowd throughout the tournament, with implicit references to his previous criticism of former Pakistan captain Babar Azam.
Shadab Khan, known for his leadership on and off the field, believes that such treatment towards a player who has represented Pakistan for a significant period is disheartening.
The chants were evident during the second eliminator match between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi at the National Stadium Karachi, where Wasim faced taunts whenever he fielded near the boundary or came to bat.
However, the seasoned all-rounder seemed unfazed by the chants as he led his team to a brilliant five-wicket victory against Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi.
In a post-match statement, Shadab expressed his sympathy for his teammate, emphasizing Imad’s longstanding contributions to Pakistan cricket.
He highlighted the disappointment felt by players who have dedicated themselves to representing their country, only to face criticism from their own fans.
“I haven’t had such a conversation with Maddy bhai, but if such a thing were to happen to me, obviously it would be saddening because playing for Pakistan for such a long time, performing for Pakistan, and then our crowd doing such things,” Shadab said.
While Shadab acknowledged that he had not directly discussed the matter with Imad Wasim, he conveyed his understanding of the emotional impact such treatment could have on a player.
Shadab Khan expresses disappointment at the treatment by the crowd of Imad Wasim, who has contributed to Pakistan's victories in the past 🗣 #PZvIU #HBLPSL9 #PSL2024 pic.twitter.com/Ypmizxjrf6
— CricWick (@CricWick) March 16, 2024
He emphasized the significance of respecting players who have served the nation and contributed to its success on the cricketing field.
“Obviously as a player, you feel like, ‘I’ve played for this country, I’ve won matches for this country, and the people of our country treat us like this,’ so it does feel a bit.”
The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by players in the public eye and underscores the importance of showing support and appreciation for their efforts.
Meanwhile, Islamabad United will face Multan Sultans tonight in the final of PSL 9.
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