The riveting clash between India and Pakistan was thoroughly enjoyed by the fans last night as India emerged victorious by five wickets. Hardik Pandya turned out to be the ‘knight in shining armour’ for India as his brilliant all-round display set up the game nicely. He picked up 3 wickets for 25 runs in four overs and plundered 33 off 17 balls with the bat. The fans were in frenzy following India’s emphatic win in the ‘clash of the titans’.
Apart from the action on the field, there was one moment off the field that became the talking point after the game. The President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Jay Shah, who was also present inside stadium, refused to hold the national flag of India after India’s victory. Shah, who is also the secretary of the Indian Cricket Board, has been receiving a lot of flak on social media for this act.
A video of the incident has been doing the rounds on social media where Shah can be seen denying the offer of waving the national tricolour in celebration of India’s victory. The ‘questionable act’ of Jay Shah hasn’t gone down well with many fans who are seeing it as a disrespect of the national emblem.
However, the reason behind Shah’s refusal to hold the Indian flag is that he attended the match as the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Member Board Representative of the ICC Cricket Committee. Hence, being the president of the administration of the Asia Cup tournament and as per ICC’s Code of Ethics, he is expected to show neutrality to all the stakeholders.
The video is further being used by the opposition leaders in India who are questioning the patriotism of Jay Shah, who’s also the son of India’s Home Minister, Amit Shah. Twitter was abuzz with people bashing Jay Shah for his alleged disrespect to the national flag. Here are some of the Tweets:
Did Jay Shah just refuse to hold our national flag! ? pic.twitter.com/7TzE74zNlD
— Alind Chauhan (@alindchauhan) August 28, 2022
Jay Shah seems to have strong influence of his RSS ancestors ? pic.twitter.com/FmvF5RVcvI
— YSR (@ysathishreddy) August 28, 2022
Jay Shah can socialize with Arabs.
Jay Shah can refuse to hold National Flag.
Jay Shah can sit with Pakistan's army chief's son.
Imagine this being done by Shahrukh Khan or Aamir Khan.
That's the privilege of being Jay Shah.
— Nimo Tai ?? (@Cryptic_Miind) August 29, 2022
Remember the outrage by Nationalists when Sidhu hugged Gen Bajwa.
There will be no outrage now, that's the privilege of being Jay Shah. pic.twitter.com/9j9FAo1xFm
— Nimo Tai ?? (@Cryptic_Miind) August 29, 2022
Shahrukh Khan was trolled when he hoisted the Indian flag for wearing shoes.
Jay Shah remains a nationalist even after denying holding the tricolor.
— Narundar (@NarundarM) August 29, 2022
Why Amit Shah's son Jay Shah doesn't want to celebrate India's win with the tricolour.
Is he allergic towards Indian Flag? pic.twitter.com/1Rli4ISAU8
— Bole Bharat (@bole_bharat) August 28, 2022
Imagine a product of Nepotism who disrespects our flag and still gets away without a criticism, boycott or an outrage.
That's a privilege of being Jay Shah.
— Nehr_who? (@Nher_who) August 28, 2022
Jay shah is acting like Naseem Shah's brother here ??#INDvsPAKpic.twitter.com/igiSduyzHv
— Dr Nimo Tyagi (@niiravmodi) August 28, 2022
Why did Jay Shah refuse to hold the Tricolor. Why such disdain towards the Indian flag? #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/sjLn1eJ1wI
— Gaurav Pandhi (@GauravPandhi) August 28, 2022
One Shah stole the heart of Indians Today whilst another shah didnt want to hold even the National Flag.
Naseem Shah -1
Jay Shah – 0 pic.twitter.com/xGrlnSHRDg— Umamaheshwaran Panneerselvam (@UMA_1510) August 28, 2022
Contribution of RSS in freedom fight = Contribution of Jay Shah to Indian Cricket = Nothing
#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/EwNz3Q33Zj
— Kalidas ?? (@i_kalidas) August 28, 2022
