Before the World Cup Clash "Boycott,” India vs Pakistan Match Trends on Social Media Platform
Before the blockbuster clash between the India and Pakistan cricket teams on Saturday, fans threatened to boycott the match on social media due to Pakistan's involvement in terrorism, once again sparking a 'Boycott' trend and a debate about whether sports and politics/international relations can be kept separate. Earlier on September 13, an Indian Army Colonel commanding a Rashtriya Rifles Unit, along with a Major and a Deputy Superintendent of Police, were killed in a gunfight with terrorists in the Kokernag area of Kashmir's Anantnag district.
The viral media of Pakistan players receiving a warm welcome and announcement of the pre-match show in Ahmedabad before the IND-PAK clash led to many social media users voicing out their displeasure, threatening to boycott the show and the match itself.
One of the users wrote on the social media platform, "What BCCI and Jay Shah have done in honour of the Pakistan team will not be tolerated at all. Our soldiers are fighting bravely against Pakistan-supported terrorists on the border. #BoycottIndoPakMatch #BoycottIndoPakMatch.”
Whereas another user wrote, “Cricket matches are nothing in front of our soldiers. Enemies are always enemies. Pakistanis don't deserve this type of welcome. #BoycottIndoPakMatch #INDvsPAK #IndiaVsPakistan #AUSvsSA #INDvPAK #INDvsAFG #INDvAFG #RohitSharma #TrainAccident #ViratKohli #BoycottIndoPakMatch.”