Pak cricketer trolled for heckling Indian soldiers at border; BSF to lodge protest

Tribune News Service

New Delhi/Amritsar, April 22

Pakistani cricketer Hasan Ali was trolled on social media after a video showed him heckling Indian soldiers at the Attari-Wagah border Sunday.

The undated video, which circulated on social media and was picked up by several news organisations, showed Ali flexing his muscles at Indian soldiers—not pictured in the video—amid hoots and cheers.

Taking exception to the behaviour of the Pakistani cricketer, Border Security Force DIG J.S. Oberoi said, "It had happened in the presence of Pakistan Rangers and their senior commanders. No one is allowed to disturb the sanctity of the parade from the either side. It was the duty of the Pak Rangers commanders to stop the cricketer from making any provocative or aggressive gestures during the Retreat ceremony even if there could be an excuse of one getting emotional. We are going to lodge strong protest with our Pakistani counterparts on Monday." 

Although the video has no date stamp, Pakistan Cricket Board's tweets confirm that Ali and his cricket teammates were at the border on Saturday to see the ceremonial lowering of the flag. Among the photos PCB tweeted was one that appeared to show Ali mocking Indian soldiers (not pictured) and flexing his muscles at them.

Mera dost @RealHa55an entertaining everyone at the Wahga border. He really does know how to engage the crowd. pic.twitter.com/ts77QR6TXb

— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) April 21, 2018

Pakistan Test team visit Wagah border for the flag lowering ceremony pic.twitter.com/nxhYWtknpr

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) April 21, 2018

Trolled

Ali, who made his debut for Pakistan in August 2016, was criticised and even trolled by several angry Indians, who saw his behaviour as immature.    

IPL happening, any cricketer worth his salt, making tonnes of money. I can understand his frustration 😊

— harpal singh (@harpal28) April 22, 2018

Absolutely juvenile & immature antics by Hassan Ali besmirching the sanctity of a ceremony that takes place at Attari-Wagah border.. Pak & its people need to realise that the anti India venom its Army & establishment inject into its citizenry is only affecting them not us!JaiHind https://t.co/FpU3hVb79p

— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) April 22, 2018

— With agency inputs