Wasim Akram and Gautam Gambhir, former cricketers from Pakistan and India respectively, have expressed their disappointment over the trend of fans celebrating each other’s defeats on social media. This comes in the wake of the Cricket World Cup 2023, where India lost in the final to Australia and Pakistan crashed out in the league stage.
Akram, in a chat on Sportskeeda, criticized the behavior of certain individuals in both countries who perpetuate this negative attitude. He emphasized the need for people to be patriotic for their own countries and show respect to each other. “Just be nice to each other at a time when everyone is struggling. At the end of the day, it’s just a game,” he said.
Gambhir echoed Akram’s sentiments, calling the act of celebrating the other team’s defeat “weird” and emphasizing the importance of focusing on one’s own team’s victories. He urged people to find joy in their own happiness rather than taking pleasure in the sorrow of others. Gambhir also pointed out that this negative attitude is driven by the desire for attention and followers on social media.
Both cricketers highlighted the upcoming T20 World Cup, where India and Pakistan are set to face each other. They stressed the need for fans to support their respective teams without reveling in the failures of the opposition. “Both teams have their own challenges to deal with,” Gambhir emphasized.
The message from Akram and Gambhir is clear – let’s celebrate our own successes and show respect to each other. It’s time to change this negative approach and promote a more positive and sportsmanlike spirit in cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan.
