Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma recently made headlines by meeting a beloved Bangladesh fan, fondly known as ‘Tiger’ Shoaib Ali who was harassed in Pune
Shoaib Ali is no ordinary cricket fan. He is known for his unwavering support for the Bangladesh cricket team, donning the Bangla Tiger attire and carrying his beloved tiger mascot to stadiums.
Who is Shoaib Tiger Ali Bangladesh cricket fan harassed in Pune by Indian fans during the cricket world cup 2023
Cricket is more than a sport; it’s a cultural phenomenon, a unifying force that brings fans from across the world together. However, an unfortunate incident during the 2023 ICC World Cup threatened to tarnish this spirit.
This is what Indian Crowd did to the Stuffed Tiger Mascot of Bangladeshi Cricket Fan Shoaib Ali, who is popularly known as 'Tiger Shoaib' because of his attire during every Bangladesh Match.#WorldCup2023 #INDvsBAN pic.twitter.com/cvOqkiCqu5
— विनीता जैन (@Vinita_Jain7) October 21, 2023
‘Tiger’ Shoaib Ali, a devoted fan of the Bangladesh cricket team, became the victim of harassment at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
The incident, which shocked and disheartened many, was captured on video and quickly went viral. In the video, you can see individuals in Indian cricket jerseys tearing the tiger mascot apart and playing with its spilled stuffing. This act of disrespect left ‘Tiger Shoaib’ emotionally hurt and disappointed.
Shoaib Ali, a huge Rohit Sharma admirer from Bangladesh, breaks down in tears in Punepic.twitter.com/lVMerGHNVt
— Johaans (@criccrazyjohn45) October 18, 2023
Shoaib Ali made a heartfelt appeal to his Indian counterparts. In a video message, he conveyed his love and respect for his Indian friends, acknowledging that while he was hurt by the incident, he believed in the spirit of cricket as a gentleman’s game.
Prior to the incident, Shoaib Ali had a heartwarming encounter with Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma. During a practice session before the India vs. Bangladesh match.
Rohit Sharma made an unexpected appearance at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, arriving in his striking blue Lamborghini. The Indian captain. Rohit stopped his car, rolled down the window, and warmly greeted Shoaib. “Arey tu yaha agaya,” Rohit exclaimed, surprised to see Shoaib.
Captain Rohit Sharma arrived for the practice session at MCA stadium, Pune. pic.twitter.com/SXlGcUtCu9
— MI Fans Army™ (@MIFansArmy) October 17, 2023
However, amidst this disheartening incident, a ray of hope emerged in the form of empathy and kindness. Some Indian fans stepped in to apologize for the behavior of those who had harassed Shoaib.