Pakistan Cricket World Cup reporter flees India feeling ‘intimidated and scared’

A Pakistani journalist reporting on the Cricket World Cup has spoken for the first time since fleeing India following backlash over now-deleted social media posts. Zainab Abbas admitted she felt “intimidated and scared” but was not forced or asked to leave the country.

Abbas was in India to cover Pakistan’s first game of the World Cup against the Netherlands last Friday. However, she left on Monday following the online reaction to old posts on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The posts in question allegedly mocked India and the Hindu religion. The presenter, who has worked for Sky Sports on their coverage of The Hundred in the past, received a huge backlash from India supporters.

Speculation after she left India suggested she had been forced to go. But the ICC instead said she had instead left for personal reasons.

Read more… Pakistan vs Netherlands chaos as Cricket World Cup umpire makes major error

Abbas has now broken her silence on X, insisting she was not asked to leave. The 35-year-old admitted the reaction online caused her to take the difficult decision of exiting the World Cup.

Abbas wrote: “I have always felt extremely fortunate and grateful for the opportunities to travel and present the sport I love – this one would have been extra special. 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.”

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Abbas has revealed her regret at the old posts and says she does not hold the same “values” today. She added: “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. With love, Zainab.”

Attention will turn to on-field matters on Saturday when India play Pakistan in the eagerly-awaited match in Ahmedabad. Both teams have 100 per cent records after their first two games of the tournament.

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