World Cup 2023: IND vs PAK Boycott Trends on Social Media

In the lead-up to the highly anticipated cricket clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, a wave of controversy has erupted on social media. Fans have taken to various platforms to express their discontent over Pakistan’s alleged involvement in terrorism. Fans have also threatened to boycott IND vs PAK World Cup 2023 clash on 14 Oct. This reignites the age-old debate of whether sports and politics can truly be kept separate.

The simmering tensions escalated when, on September 13, a tragic incident occurred in Kashmir’s Anantnag district. An Indian Army Colonel leading a Rashtriya Rifles Unit, along with a Major and a Deputy Superintendent of Police, lost their lives in a gunfight with terrorists. The images and videos of Pakistani players receiving a warm welcome in India during the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup only intensified the debate.

What BCCI and Jay Shah have done in the honor of Pakistan team will not be tolerated at all.

Our soldiers are fighting bravely against Pakistan supported terrorists on the border.

#BoycottIndoPakMatch#BoycottIndoPakMatchpic.twitter.com/VvQY8HVP1w

— GURMEET 𝕏 (@GURmeetG9) October 13, 2023

The outpouring of emotion on social media primarily revolved around the question of why Pakistani players are given such a warm reception in India while instances of terrorism originating from Pakistan continue to inflict loss of life and property in India, particularly among soldiers and security forces.

Adding fuel to the fire was the announcement of a pre-match show at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, featuring Bollywood sensations Arijit Singh, Shankar Mahadevan, and Sukhwinder Singh. This decision raised eyebrows, especially since no grand opening ceremony was held for the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Cricket match is nothing infront of our Soldiers.

Enemies are always enemy.

Pakistani doesn’t deserve this type of welcome.#BoycottIndoPakMatch #INDvsPAK #IndiaVsPakistan #AUSvsSA #INDvPAK #INDvsAFG #INDvAFG #RohitSharma #TrainAccident #ViratKohli #BoycottIndoPakMatch pic.twitter.com/is3V7w8j67

— VIKAS DABRIYA (@dabriya_vikas) October 13, 2023

Social media platforms became battlegrounds for those who voiced their displeasure and those who defended the idea of keeping sports and politics separate. Hashtags like #BoycottIndoPakMatch trended as fans threatened to boycott the upcoming match against Pakistan.

The debate spilt over to the artists slated to perform at the pre-match show, with one user accusing them of singing for Pakistan for financial gain. This divisive sentiment underscored the broader controversy surrounding the match.

Shame on you @arijitsingh @Shankar_Live and @Sukhwindermusic that you will be singing for the Pakistani for the money 💰 #BoycottIndoPakMatch #BoycottBCCI pic.twitter.com/0p1060nJaF

— Ashish Gurjar 🇮🇳 (@SirAshu2002) October 13, 2023

Putting the off-field controversies aside, the cricketing world is eagerly anticipating the on-field showdown between India and Pakistan. Both teams have started their World Cup campaigns with impressive wins, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter.

India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Suryakumar Yadav.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim.