NEW DELHI: Cricketer Gautam Gambhir has in a tweet asked a Kashmiri separatist to celebrate Pakistan’s win in the Champions Trophy+ in Pakistan rather than in Kashmir.
The provocation for Gambhir’s tweet? Separatist Hurriyatman Mirwaiz Umar Farooqtweeting his joy at Pakistan beating India in the Champion’s Trophy final.
Fireworks all around, feels like an early Eid here. Better team took the day. Congratulations team #Pakistan
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) 1497801962000
That got Gambhir’s goat, and with one sarcastic tweet, the former India opener managed to not just slam Farooq, he also got in a dig at what some say is China’s increasing ‘colonisation’ of Pakistan.
A suggestion @MirwaizKashmir why don’t u cross the border? U will get better fireworks (Chinese?), Eid celebs there.I can help u wid packing
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) 1497808869000
In fact, this isn’t the first time Farooq congratulated the Pakistani cricket team. After it beat England to enter the Champions Trophy final, the Kashmiri separatist tweeted:
As we were finishing taraweeh,could hear the fire crackers bursting, well played team #Paksitan. Best of luck for the finals!
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) 1497460861000