Pakistani Presenter Zainab Abbas Leaves India After Social Media Backlash
Pakistani presenter Zainab Abbas left India after facing backlash on social media in regards to her alleged anti-India posts in the past. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has clarified that the presenter left the country due to personal reasons.
“Zainab has not been deported, she has left for personal reasons,” an official from the ICC told news agency PTI.
Zainab Abbas is part of the ICC digital team covering the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup in India and she left India from Hyderabad, reported NDTV.
The presenter was assigned to cover Pakistan”s three World Cup games in the city.
The 35-year-old made her presence felt at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad during Pakistan”s World Cup opener against the Netherlands on October 6. Her posts on her unverified X account (formerly Twitter) had gained significant attention when she announced her coverage of the ICC mega event in India.
As speculation on social media grew about her sudden departure from India during the tournament, the International Cricket Council stepped in to clarify that Zainab”s departure from the host country was not due to deportation.
The presenter, who had arrived in Hyderabad the previous week, had plans to travel to various cities where Pakistan”s matches were scheduled, including Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad.
“There was always intrigue on what lies on the other side, more cultural similarities than differences, rivals on the field but camaraderie off the field, the same language & love for art & a country with a billion people, here to represent, to create content & bring in expertise from the best in the business. Humbled to be presenting in India at the Cricket WC2023 for the @ICC again, a journey away from home of 6 weeks starts now,” Zainab Abbas had posted on X on October 2, ahead of the beginning of the tournament in India.
There was always intrigue on what lies on the other side, more cultural similarities than differences, rivals on the field but camaraderie off the field, the same language & love for art & a country with a billion people, here to represent, to create content & bring in expertise… pic.twitter.com/dvoRUASpmm
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 2, 2023
Meanwhile, several social media handles from Pakistan has claimed that the presenter was deported from India.
A lawyer based out of Delhi had claimed last week that a complaint was filed against Zainab Abbas with the Delhi cyber cell. Advocate Vineet Jindal said he had requested the police to lodge a First Information Report (FIR) under section 153A, 295, 506, 121 IPC and section 67 of IT Act for making derogatory remarks for Hindu faith and beliefs and for anti-India statements.
“Zainab must be removed from list of presenters on immediate basis from ICC World Cup by ICC and BCCI. Anti Bharat people are not welcome in Bharat,” Mr Jindal wrote on X.
Complaint against @ZAbbasOfficial filed by Advocate & Social Activist @vineetJindal19 with cyber cell Delhi Police.Requesting to lodge FIR under section 153A,295,506,121 IPC and sec67 IT Act for making derogatory remarks for Hindu faith and beliefs and for anti -Bharat… https://t.co/vctiV98wBT pic.twitter.com/f9C6I0OMuD
— Adv.Vineet Jindal (@vineetJindal19) October 5, 2023
