Twitter bashes a cricket columnist for wishing Azhar Ali to break his ankle

Pakistan lost the first Test against England for a very good position last week. The second Test of the three-match series is a must-win now for them to stay alive. After taking a substantial lead in the series opener, their batsmen faltered in the second innings. Among other batsmen, the skipper Azhar Ali is also in the firing line after registering scores of 0 and 18 in the first Test.

His captaincy is also under scanner for letting Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler off the hook after having England struggling at 117/5. While some of the fans are backing the team and the skipper to come good in the second match, few have questioned Azhar’s batting and leadership skills. However, a Twitter user who is also a cricket columnist came up with a tweet wishing for Pakistan captain’s injury ahead of the crucial game.

He wished for Azhar Ali to fall from stairs and break his ankle or to somehow get injured so that Pakistan replaces him with a better batsman. “Nothing personal here but Azhar Ali should really be encouraged to fall down the stairs and break an ankle or something. #RaiseTheBat #PAKvENG #ENGvPAK,” the tweet read.

Nothing personal here but Azhar Ali should really be encouraged to fall down the stairs and break an ankle or something. #RaiseTheBat #PAKvENG #ENGvPAK

— Saad Shafqat (@_saadshafqat) August 10, 2020

He didn’t seem to be too pleased with the 35-year-old over his batting especially as he bats at a crucial number three position for Pakistan. However, the tweet hasn’t gone down well with the fans and they have bashed the columnist for wishing ill for Azhar Ali. Soon though he was quick to clear that he didn’t really wish ill for the cricketer.

Azhar Ali’s recent form

The Pakistan captain has struggled off late in Tests for the most part of last 18 months. After scoring a century in December 2018 against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, he has crossed 50 only once in 17 innings and has bagged a duck four times. Apart from the ducks, Azhar Ali hasn’t reached the double figures of six occasions and his current form is certainly a worry for Pakistan.

Even he will be aware of the same but clearly, to wish for him to get injured by falling off the stairs is not a solution for it. Twitterati also felt the same and they lashed out at the Twitter user for his tweet. They also hoped that Azhar returns to form as soon as possible and help the team win the must-win Test.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Very bad comment.

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) August 10, 2020

Because he couldn't perform in 2 innings?
We should go easy on our players. They are talented, they are capable. Insha'Allah they will bounce back.

Someone who is 5th highest run getter in test for us should be treated properly. @AzharAli_ #supportforbhai

— Mohsin Atique (@Mohsin_Atique_) August 11, 2020

You write for @ESPNcricinfo ?..I’m sure they’d endorse your view on Azhar. What a crass and horrible comment.

— AmerCric (@Amermalik12) August 10, 2020

I’m disappointed Dr sahib 🙁 so uncalled for sir. U are far better than this

— Asif Khan (@mak_asif) August 11, 2020

Doc, you are fast losing respect here.

— Ashfaq Shah (@shahashfaq) August 10, 2020

C'mon this is uncalled for. 'Nothing personal' but you want him to get injured??? You can criticize his game, his captaincy, whatever else you want relating to cricket but a personal attack like this to wish injury on to him is pathetic. Please delete this.

— Tanzil Khawaja (@TanzilKhawaja) August 11, 2020

Though I am’ not a big fan of Azhar Ali..! But this is unfair. Hope he will perform better in upcoming matches

— Rana Tariq (Manj) (@RanaTariqManj1) August 11, 2020

These Pakistani writers 🤦🏽‍♂️especially the doctors, really awful people. Must be taken literally at all times.

— Kamran Abbasi (@KamranAbbasi) August 11, 2020

Ouch doc!

— afia salam (@afiasalam) August 10, 2020