Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar in his latest tweet requested fans and media worldwide to leave alone Steven Smith.
Shoaib revealed he is saddened by the episode which unfolded at the airport in South Africa. Australian sanctioned star batsman Smith is facing the toughest of the times, as of now.
“…and also the way people treating him at the airport and in Australia is sad,” Leave that poor chap alone now,” Akhtar wrote on the Twitter handle.
Pertinently, Smith alongside David Warner and Bancroft had to return home following the ban imposed by Cricket Australia.
Smith made the open admission of using the underhand tactics. He reiterated that it came from the ‘leadership group’ which further ignited the debate.
Smith is facing the one-year ban alongside Warner. The ball-tamperer Bancroft evaded more punishment as compared to Smith and Warner.
But the 25-year-old Western Australian is bound to serve nine months out of the field.
The recent scandal has rocked the cricketing world. It has been subsequently been blown out of proportion.
Tainted Warner, who is said to be the antagonist owing to the ball-tampering incident. He will speak to the media on Saturday (March 31).
The 41-year-old renowned bowler Shoaib further remarked it was displeasing to see Smith how Smith has been treated.
Smith, who led his Test side to victory in Ashes, was seen sobbing during the press conference at Sydney Airport.
“but absolutely gutted to see Steve Smith breaking down at the press conference,” Akhtar maintained.
The outstanding cricket Smith believes he had made the worst mistake. The New South Wales-based batsman quipped he would be regretting the mistake for the ‘lifetime.’
The veteran bowler from Rawalpindi, Shoaib went on to say Smith is the player who has shown the courage to stand by the truth.
“At least Steve Smith has the courage to admit like a man,” Shoaib said.
Earlier, on March 24, during the third and penultimate Test in Cape Town, Bancroft was caught while gouging the ball.
The tweet by Shoaib Akhtar has garnered 5,443 likes and 616 retweets and 132 comments:
At least Steve smith has the courage to admit like a man but absolutely gutted to see Steve smith breaking down @ the press conference & also they way people treating him @ Airport & in Australia its sad ..
leave that poor chap alone now ..— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) March 29, 2018
For Pakistan, Shoaib Akhtar played 163 One-day Internationals, 46 Tests and 15 T20Is. He has bagged 444 scalps across formats since his debut in 1997 against Windies at his home ground.
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