Abrar Ahmed's 'fantastic tea' post on Instagram triggers Indian trolls

Pakistani cricketer Abrar Ahmed became the center of attention after sharing a sarcastic post on Instagram, which sparked backlash from Indian trolls. His comment section was soon flooded with criticism, as many Indian social media users accused him of bringing politics into cricket.

Abrar had already made headlines during the Pakistan vs India Champions Trophy match on February 23, when he celebrated Shubman Gill’s crucial wicket in a high-voltage encounter. Despite Pakistan's disappointing loss and lackluster performance, his spirited celebration stood out, drawing mixed reactions.

While some criticised him for displaying 'overconfidence' despite his team’s struggles, others praised his high morale, arguing that such aggressiveness and determination are essential traits for any sportsman, even in tough circumstances.

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Abrar’s latest Instagram post further irritated Indian fans. Holding a cup of tea with a smile, he wished his followers a Happy Ramadan, captioning the post, "Having the last cup of FANTASTIC evening TEA before Ramadan begins."

His emphasis on "fantastic" and "tea" was a clear reference to Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by the Pakistan Army in 2019.

During his captivity, when asked about the tea he was served, Abhinandan famously responded, "The tea was fantastic." Since then, the phrase has become a popular meme among Pakistanis, often used to mock Indian aggression.

Abrar’s post led to a wave of criticism from Indian fans, with many accusing him of politicising cricket.

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 "This was unnecessary. I don’t see any Indian cricketer making political statements about Pakistan. You should be an ambassador of peace," wrote one Indian user.

Others resorted to harsh language and criticism, though Abrar chose not to engage with the backlash.

Interestingly, despite the controversy, Abrar previously praised Indian batting legend Virat Kohli, expressing his joy at playing against his 'childhood hero.'

"Bowling to my childhood hero, Virat Kohli. Grateful for his appreciation—his greatness as a cricketer is only matched by his humility as a person. A true inspiration on and off the field!" Abrar wrote in an earlier post.