Credit: Twitter
The sports presenter from Pakistan, Zainab Abbas has taken to X to apologise for her old anti-India and anti-Hindu posts, after leaving the country midway, without fulfilling her ODI World Cup 2023 broadcasting duties as part of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) digital team. The 35-year-old talked about how she wasn’t asked to leave nor deported from India, but still, what had transpired in the country, made her walk away, after concern shown towards her by the family and friends.
Zainab Abbas left India on Monday, October 9, from the city of Hyderabad, where she was present to cover the opening match of Pakistan in the ODI World Cup 2023 against the Netherlands, just three days prior to her departure. She was due to cover the second match of Pakistan on Tuesday, October 10, against Sri Lanka, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, before travelling to other cities where the Men in Green were supposed to play.
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After initial reports claimed that the 35-year-old was forced to leave the country after backlash for her anti-India posts on social media, the ICC spokesperson told PTI, “Zainab has not been deported, she has left for personal reasons.” On Thursday, October 12, Zainab Abbas issued an apology to the Indians in a post on X, wherein she also talked about how she needed some space and time to reflect on the recent happenings.
Her recent post on the official X account read, “My daily interactions with everyone during my stay were kind, cheerful, and with a sense of familiarity - just as I had expected. I was neither asked to leave nor was I deported. However, I felt intimidated and scared by the reaction that was unfolding online. And even though there was no immediate threat to my safety, my family, and friends from both sides of the border were concerned. I needed some space and time to reflect on what had transpired.”
“I understand and deeply regret the hurt caused by the posts that were circulated. I wish to make clear that they do not represent my values or who I am as a person today. There is no excuse or space for such language, and I sincerely apologise to anyone who was offended. Also, I am truly grateful to those who were concerned and reached out during this challenging time,” she concluded.
