'I've decided to take a break' - Darren Lehmann quits social media after bizarre Twitter hack

Since the past year, cricketers were affected by hacking and it clearly seems that social media accounts hacking has become the latest hobby of wrongdoers all over the world. In 2019, former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson was attacked by such miscreants on social media when both of Watson’s Twitter and Instagram accounts were hacked and after which, controversial photos were uploaded. Pakistan’s opener Fakhar Zaman wasn’t spared as well.

Apart from players, cricket association was not spared too. Cricket South Africa’s Twitter account was also hacked by a Bitcoin hacker and spread wrong information that the cricket board was collaborating with a bitcoin company to do a lottery. Recently, former Australia coach Darren Lehmann’s Twitter account was hacked and things escalated very quickly.

The hacker modified the name of Lehmann’s Twitter account to Qassem Soleimani | F**K Iran and then spread hate messages while also changing information in his bio. After this, Brisbane Heat’s official Twitter acknowledged the same.

Heat posted a message on their account. “Hi Heat fans, thanks for the messages. We are aware our coach Darren Lehmann’s Twitter account has been hacked and are working closely with Twitter to rectify the situation. We apologize for any offence caused this evening.”

Hi Heat fans, thanks for the messages. We are aware our coach Darren Lehmann's Twitter account has been hacked and are working closely with Twitter to rectify the situation. We apologise for any offence caused this evening.#BBL09

— Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) January 6, 2020

However, in a now-deleted tweet, the hacker replied to Heat’s message on Twitter and said, “I’m not hacked What the F**K. I Quit My job As Coach I’m Going To Perth They Better Anyway.”

It is cognisance of the fact that global tensions have gone from bad to worse after US forces murdered top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad, with Tehran vying for an act of revenge. Besides the anti-Iran messages, the perpetrator also sent out explicit tweets regarding the country, along with linked photos and YouTube clips pertaining to the suffering of the Asian nation to Lehmann’s 340,000+ followers.

Darren Lehmann takes a break from social media after his account got hacked

Lehmann, the current coach of Brisbane Heat, was with the BBL team on Monday while all these shocking scenes took place on his Twitter account. Brisbane were playing Sydney Thunder at home and beat them by 16 runs in the rain-curtailed encounter.

“Hi everyone, as you have probably noticed, last night while we were playing our BBL game, someone hacked my accounts and used it to spread some malicious and hurtful statements. The words and sentiments used were definitely ones that I do not endorse or promote,” Lehmann tweeted.

Hi everyone
As you have probably noticed, last night while we were playing our BBL game, someone hacked my accounts and used it to spread some malicious and hurtful statements. The words and sentiments used were definitely ones that I do not endorse or promote. (Cont)

— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) January 7, 2020

“To see such vile and horrendous opinions used in my name has caused great upset to me and my family. I’ve decided to have a break from social media for the foreseeable future. I appreciate your understanding and apologies to anyone who was unnecessary hurt or offended,” he said in another tweet.

. To see such vile and horrendous opinions used in my name has caused great upset to me and my family. I’ve decided to have a break from social media for the foreseeable future. I appreciate your understanding and apologies to anyone who was unnecessary hurt or offended. (Cont)

— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) January 7, 2020

Finally, the problem has been sorted out and Lehmann thanked Cricket Australia and the Brisbane Heat for assisting him in the need of the hour as he got out of the situation.

“By those hacked tweets and posts. It has taken until this morning to have it resolved through Twitter despite me addressing it as soon as I become aware of it after the game. Thanks to the staff at Brisbane Heat and Cricket Australia for helping us through this awful experience,” Lehmann wrote in his final tweet.

by those hacked tweets and posts. It has taken until this morning to have it resolved through Twitter despite me addressing it as soon as I become aware of it after the game. Thanks to the staff at Brisbane Heat and Cricket Australia for helping us through this awful experience.

— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) January 7, 2020