IPL 2018: Zainab Abbas Praises Mayank Markande, Faces Backlash From her Compatriots

by PrinceApril 8, 2018April 8, 2018

Defending champions Mumbai Indians failed to start their title-defence on a winning note.

The three-time champions lost the thrilling tournament-opener against Chennai Super Kings by just one run. But on an otherwise dismal night, Mumbai Indians got a future star in the form of Mayank Markande.

The leg-spinner had a debut to remember. The 20-year old from Punjab caused all sorts of trouble with his googly. Having been brought on right after the powerplay, he struck off the third ball of his IPL career, with Ambati Rayudu playing the wrong line for his wrong ‘un and getting trapped leg-before.

In his very next over, he took the prized scalp of MS Dhoni with a similar delivery. Between the two dismissals, Markande would have accounted for Kedar Jadhav too but the umpire gave the decision against him. And Mumbai Indians did not review the decision only to regret later, as Jadhav fired the Super Kings to a memorable win.

On the last ball of his spell, he dismissed Deepak Chahar to finish with figures of three for 23. By the time he finished his spell, Mumbai were well placed to win the game.

However, a whirlwind knock from Dwayne Bravo (68 off 30) took the Super Kings home with a ball remaining.

Meanwhile, Markande grabbed some eyeballs across the border too. Pakistani journalist Zainab Abbas took to Twitter to praise the youngster, writing:

“It’s a legspinners world these days – Rashid Khan,Shadab Khan,Yuzvendra Chahal & now Markande from MI.. #MIvCSK”

It’s a legspinners world these days – Rashid Khan,Shadab Khan,Yuzvendra Chahal & now Markande from MI.. #MIvCSK

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) April 7, 2018

However, her tweet did not go down with some Pakistani fans, as they lashed out at her. Here are some of the reactions: