"What crime has she committed?": Shoaib Akhtar defends Sania Mirza after trolls target her over Pakistan's defeat to India in World Cup 2019

Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar has come to defense of Sania Mirza, saying Indian tennis star is unlucky to find herself in firing line of fans every time arch-rivals India and Pakistan play an international match.

Sania is married to former skipper Shoaib Malik, who is currently a part of Pakistan's cricket team which is competing in ongoing World Cup in England.

"She is so unlucky that whatever she does she gets unnecessary criticism from eir Pakistan or India and that too for rhyme or reason. If Pakistan loses a match she is targeted because her husband plays for Pakistan," Akhtar said on his Youtube channel.

Several fans had targeted Sania in social media after video and pictures of her enjoying a late dinner with her husband Shoaib along with Wahab Riaz and Imam-ul-Haq went viral.

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Pakistan team had suffered ir seventh defeat to India in World Cup, going down this time by 89 runs in a rain-hit match last Sunday.

"If she has gone to be with her husband and if she has gone out with him to have dinner...she has just had a child...what crime has she committed," Akhtar questioned.

controversy even forced Shoaib Malik to come out with a mess in his twitter handle, pleading people to t target his family.

Pakistani media has reported that Sania and Shoaib had also taken ir son late night to Sheesha cafe which many claimed in mainstream and social media was on night before match against India.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) n clarified that video was two days old as Shoaib and Sania and ors went out to cafe for dinner on June 13 and t June 15th night.

Akhtar expressed disappointment that just because Pakistan had lost its World Cup match to India, Sania was unfairly targeted.

"How can you point fingers at a person's family or personal life. Who gives you right to do this? Just because you have a Twitter handle or social media account doesn't mean you can point fingers at anyone's family," Akhtar said.

"I really feel sorry for her. If she has gone to be with her husband or gone out for dinner what has that got to do with performance. Did she tell him (Shoaib) t to perform? How are performances and having dinner related."

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Akhtar said he was hurt by stupid comments and mentality of people on social media about players.

"I feel sad because why can't players go out to a late night dinner even if re is a match next day as it is 12 o clock is curfew time."

Pakistan actress Veena Malik was among those who had hit out at Sania for having dining with her husband and new-born son.

Sania has also reacted strongly to comments, making it clear one has right to firstly record video or interfere in her personal life or question how she raised her son.