Pakistan Cricket World Cup reporter flees India feeling ‘intimidated and scared’
A Pakistani journalist reporting on the Cricket World Cup has spoken for the primary time since fleeing India following backlash over now-deleted social media posts. Zainab Abbas admitted she felt “intimidated and scared” however was not compelled or requested to depart the nation.
Abbas was in India to cowl Pakistan‘s first sport of the World Cup towards the Netherlands final Friday. However, she left on Monday following the net response to previous posts on X, previously often called Twitter.
The posts in query allegedly mocked India and the Hindu faith. The presenter, who has labored for Sky Sports on their protection of The Hundred up to now, obtained an enormous backlash from India supporters.
Speculation after she left India steered she had been compelled to go. But the ICC as a substitute stated she had as a substitute left for private causes.
Abbas has now damaged her silence on X, insisting she was not requested to depart. The 35-year-old admitted the response on-line induced her to take the tough resolution of exiting the World Cup.
Abbas wrote: “I have always felt extremely fortunate and grateful for the opportunities to travel and present the sport I love – this one would have been extra special. My daily interactions with everyone during my stay were kind, cheerful, and with a sense of familiarity – just as I had expected.
“I used to be neither requested to depart nor was I deported. However, I felt intimidated and scared by the response that was unfolding on-line.
“And even though there was no immediate threat to my safety, my family, and friends from both sides of the border were concerned. I needed some space and time to reflect on what had transpired.”
Abbas has revealed her remorse on the previous posts and says she doesn’t maintain the identical “values” as we speak. She added: “I understand and deeply regret the hurt caused by the posts that were circulated.
“I want to clarify that they don’t signify my values or who I’m as an individual as we speak. There isn’t any excuse or house for such language, and I sincerely apologise to anybody who was offended.
“Also I am truly grateful to those who were concerned and reached out during this challenging time. With love, Zainab.”
Attention will flip to on-field issues on Saturday when India play Pakistan within the eagerly-awaited match in Ahmedabad. Both groups have 100 per cent data after their first two video games of the match.