Indian media targets 15-year-old Pakistani Tennis player following the conclusion of the U-16 Davis Cup in Kazakhstan, despite Pakistan lossing to India by 0-2 after a tough fight.
Following the match, a video appeared on social media in which the Pakistani boy, visibly frustrated after the defeat, did not shake hands with the Indian player.
Indian media commenting on the video called the gesture of the Pakistani boy ‘disrespectful and ugly’.
“After initially missing the handshake, the Pakistani player made contact the second time, only to pull away abruptly in a seemingly disrespectful manner,” said Indian news outlet India Today.
Pakistani sports journalist Faizan Lakhani, however, stepped in to clarify the truth and call out the biased reporting.
The Pakistani journalist informed that the full video showed the Pakistani player bursting into tears after losing the match.
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“Give the kid a break. He’s only 15 years old. He lost the match from a leading position and was frustrated with himself after such a tense game. Post the full video showing the player’s frustration after the loss, including how he cried afterwards. In the video, he can be heard saying, ‘I’m not mad at you,” Lakhani stated.
He further added, “The coaches from both sides shook hands as well. If there had been anything unsportsmanlike, the ITF would have fined the Pakistan team. Targeting a 15-year-old kid to push your hateful agenda is pathetic stuff.”
Indian social media has been attacking the Pakistani player with abusive remarks since then. Pakistan and India recently engaged in a serious military conflict earlier this month. India targeted the civilians of Pakistan under the guise of ‘Operation Sindoor’, claiming to attack the terrorists’ hideouts in Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Pakistan, in response to Indian strikes, initiated Operation Bunyun-an-Marsoos, targeting the military sites and installations used in the attacks on Pakistan.