Pakistani sports presenter Zainab Abbas, a member of the ICC digital team covering the ODI World Cup, left India on Monday amidst a social media backlash over alleged anti-India posts from her unverified X (formerly Twitter) account in the past.
While speculation on social media grew regarding her departure during the tournament, the International Cricket Council (ICC) clarified that she was not deported from the host country and had left India for personal reasons.
Zainab Abbas’s Role in India:
Zainab had been deputed to cover Pakistan’s three World Cup games in India, with her last presence at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad for Pakistan’s World Cup opener against the Netherlands on October 6.
Her assignment included traveling to various cities where Pakistan was scheduled to play matches, such as Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad.
ICC’s Statement:
The ICC spokesperson addressed the situation, stating, “Zainab has not been deported; she has left for personal reasons.”
Warm Welcome to Pakistan Cricket Team:
Notably, the Pakistan cricket team received a warm reception at the Hyderabad airport on September 27, marking its return to India after a seven-year gap.
The cricketers, led by captain Babar Azam, have acknowledged the overwhelming support they have received in India since their arrival.
Commentary Panel Presence:
Former Pakistan cricket players Rameez Raja and Waqar Younis are in India as part of the commentary panel for the ODI World Cup, which began on October 5 and will conclude on November 19.
While Zainab’s departure from India garnered attention, the ICC clarified that it was unrelated to her role in covering the cricket tournament and attributed it to personal reasons.
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