#PrayForPalestine: Cricketers from around the world express solidarity with Palestinians

A number of cricketers from around the world have expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine.

The death toll from Israel’s continuing offensive on Gaza has left 119 dead, including 35 children and 11 women, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. While an additional 800 people have been injured.

Several members of the Pakistan cricket team, led by captain Babar Azam have shared messages on microblogging site Twitter, extending prayers for the Palestinian people.

“Prayers for the people of Palestine. We just have to be human to stand up for humanity, Babar Azam tweeted.

Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez and Shadab Khan were among the other Pakistanis who expressed solidarity.

Taking it to social media, Darren Sammy has expressed solidarity with oppressed Palestinians.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan said one “only needed to be human” to support their cause.

South African left-arm spinner, George Linde also expressed his concerns over the situation in Palestine.

“It is very sad to see what is happening in Palestine. Which direction this world going to. Absolutely horrible and terrible scenes from Palestine No tolerance with humans,” he tweeted.

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan in a tweet said, “As an athlete who plays cricket around the world, I want to see this world out of war. I can’t watch people being killed in #Afghanistan & #Palestine. No crime is more heinous than the killing of a child. I want these children to wake up to the sound of birds & not bombs.”

England bowler Saqib Mahmood asked people not to turn a blind eye, using the hashtag #FreePalestine.

Afghan player Tabraiz Shamsi and Kagiso Rabada South Africa’s – lead bowler also expressed their concerns over the situation in Palestine. 

Hashim Amla shared a lengthy post on Instagram drawing comparisons to Nelson Mandela’s struggle against apartheid, reminding people of Mandela’s unstinting support for the people of Palestine throughout his life. Mandela had said South Africa’s struggle was “incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians”.