Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Islamabad United posted a distasteful Tweet on the social media site Twitter against Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah trying to spread the awareness about the coronavirus guidelines to stay inside. The franchise’s official Twitter handle posted a photograph of Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah form the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final against Pakistan where he overstepped while bowling.
As the whole sporting world including cricket has been put on a halt due to the global pandemic coronavirus, the Islamabad-based franchise used Bumrah’s front-foot no-ball picture to stay confined in the home. This hasn’t gone well with many Indian fans and the franchise faced a backlash for their actions.
In case you don’t know, Bumrah got out Fakhar Zaman off a no-ball in the Champions Trophy 2017 final. It dearly costed India as the Pakistan opener went on to score 114 runs and helped Pakistan in lifting the championship. Now Islamabad United posted the picture of the same no-ball warning people against coming out of their homes and crossing the line against coronavirus.
The Tweet said – “Don’t cross the line. It can be costly. Don’t leave your homes unnecessarily, MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DISTANCE but make sure your hearts remain close. #UnitedAgainstCovid19.”
Many Indian fans did not like the post and slammed the PSL franchise for the Tweet.
What’s next for Islamabad United?
The two-time PSL champions were ousted from the league stage in the PSL 2020. Despite making a bright start to the competition, they could not continue their form deep into the league stage. Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, and Peshawar Zalmi qualified for the semifinals. However, just before the semifinals, the PCB decided to suspend the PSL 2020 owing to the coronavirus outbreak.