India will take on Pakistan in a much-awaited clash in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 on June 16. However, the pre-match build-up to this one has been marred by some not-so-friendly banter, which has been received poorly on both sides of the border.
Sania Mirza, Indian Tennis star and wife of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, went into a fit of anger after Pakistan’s Jazz TV appeared to mock Indian wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman in an advertisement for the upcoming game. Abhinandan had spent over sixty hours as a captive of the Pakistan army earlier this year after his plane was shot down in an aerial fight.
The advertisement in question parodied a leaked video of the Indian military man, in which he was being questioned by the Pakistani army officials.
Shameful for Pakistan to mock our hero #Abhinandan ahead of #INDvsPAK World Cup cricket game. We need to retaliate! pic.twitter.com/BQcLxyQPvH
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) June 11, 2019
On the other hand, India’s Star Sports, has been running an ad where an Indian supporter describes himself as Pakistan’s “abbu” (father), referring to his sides’ domination over their arch rivals in the World Cup.
This #FathersDay, watch an ICC #CWC19 match jo dekh ke bas bol sakte hain, “baap re baap!” 😉
Catch #INDvPAK in the race for the #CricketKaCrown, LIVE on June 16th, only on Star Sports! pic.twitter.com/Apo3R8QrbO
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 9, 2019
“Cringeworthy ads on both sides of the border?? seriously guys, you don’t need to ‘hype up’ or market the match anymore specially with rubbish! it has ENOUGH attention already! It’s only cricket for God sake, and if you think it’s anymore than that then get a grip or get a life!!,” Sania wrote on her Twitter handle.
Cringeworthy ads on both sides of the border 🤮 seriously guys, you don’t need to ‘hype up’ or market the match anymore specially with rubbish! it has ENOUGH attention already!It’s only cricket for God sake, and if you think it’s anymore than that then get a grip or get a life !!
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) June 12, 2019
The relations between the two countries escalated after the attack in Pulwama which saw the death of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel a few months back.
