NEW DELHI - A torrent of social media abuse targeted India's only Muslim player, bowler Mohammed Shami, after his team was defeated by archrival Pakistan in the T20 cricket World Cup.
Violence against Muslims was also reported after Sunday's emphatic 10-wicket victory, Pakistan's first against India at any World Cup.
Cricket clashes between Hindu-majority India and Muslim Pakistan often increase tensions between neighbors, which have fought three wars since independence in 1947.
Shami, 31, became the main target after the loss in Dubai, although India captain Virat Kohli acknowledged that his team had been "outmatched". Thousands of scathing messages were left on social media, including Shami's Instagram account, calling him a traitor and claiming that he had taken money to launch the game.
But a host of Indian cricket legends, fans and politicians also spoke out against the hate attack and called for support for it.
"The online attack on Mohammad Shami is shocking and we support him. He is a champion and anyone who wears the India cap has India in their heart far more than any online mafia," said former test player Virender Sehwag.
"We support all the people who represent Team India," said hitting legend Sachin Tendulkar. Shami "is a committed world-class bowler. He had a day off like any other athlete can have."
