Bangladesh wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim stokes controversy with tweet mocking India's defeat to West Indies in WT20 semi-final, but is forced to apologise after backlash from Indian supporters
Cricket is a gentleman's game, but Bangladesh wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim seemed to have had a momentary lapse and forgotten that when Team India lost their ICC World Twenty20 semi-final to West Indies.
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The Bangladeshi cricketer, who must be stil smarting from his team's defeat in WT20 at the hands of India at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 23 by a solitary run. Rahim had hit two boundaries in the final over of that chase, but failed to complete the task and was heart-broken after losing to the title favourites.
On Thursday night, Rahim stoked a major controversy with his unsportsmanlike conduct by expressing his happiness over India's seven-wicket loss to West Indies on a social media platform.
The wicketkeeper-batsman tweeted his joy at India's defeat with the post, "Happiness is this.....!!!!!! #ha ha ha....!!!! India lost in the semifinal" with an image of a TV that had India skipper MS Dhoni speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Sorry to all of you guys...as i am a big West Indies supporter but anyway sorry again for some harsh words...!!!!
— Mushfiqur Rahim (@mushfiqur15) March 31, 2016
The post got angry reactions from Indians, following which Rahim deleted the post. Reacting to the backlash, Rahim, in another tweet, apologised, while stating that he had done it since he was a big fan of the West Indies team.
Raina had earlier just after India's win over Bangladesh taken a dig at Rahim.
With Bangladesh needing 10 runs off the last 5 balls, Rahim hit successive fours and this led to the Bangladeshi wicketkeeper and Mahmudullah celebrating mid-pitch. But unfortunately for the Bangla Tigers, they lost three wickets off the next three balls to slide to a 1-run defeat.
Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim (left) gestures towards Indian bowler Hardik Panday after scoring a boundary during the WT20 match at The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on March 23, 2016. Pic/AFP
Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim (left) reacts after being dismissedd as Indian bowler Hardik Panday (right) looks on during their World T20 match at The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on March 23, 2016. Pic/AFP
Raina took a jab at Rahim and Mahmudullah's premature celebrations, with his post stating, "Don't give up till the end Don't celebrate before you win! #IndvsBan Wat a game..."