Shahid Afridi’s fans were in for a shock when news of his death surfaced on social media. The rumor claimed the former Pakistan captain had passed away. However, this news was completely fake.
A video circulating online was created using AI, adding to the confusion. This isn’t the first time a cricketer’s death has been falsely reported.
Nathan McCullum, a New Zealand cricketer, faced a similar situation. His death news went viral, forcing him to issue a statement. He tweeted, “I’m alive, and I’m better than ever. I don’t know where this news came from, but it’s false. Love to you all.”
McCullum played 84 ODIs and 63 T20Is for New Zealand. His last international match was against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Before Afridi, Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batsman Umar Akmal was also a victim of such a rumor. In 2017, people started paying tributes to him on social media, but he had to come forward to deny the news.
Akmal tweeted, “Alhamdulillah, I’m in Lahore and safe. The news on social media is fake. Insha’Allah, I’ll play in the National T20 Cup semifinal.”
Fake News on Social Media
Another incident involved Zimbabwe’s former captain Heath Streak. The news of his death was shared by former Zimbabwe cricketer Henry Olonga. However, Olonga later revealed that the news was false and he had also fallen prey to the rumor.
Many Indian cricketers had paid their tributes before Olonga clarified the situation. He deleted his initial tweet and posted a new one, stating that Streak was fine and they had spoken.
Cricket Community’s Response
These incidents highlight the need for verifying news before sharing it on social media. The cricket community has been a victim of such rumors, and it’s essential to be cautious when sharing news to avoid spreading misinformation.
In today’s digital age, news can spread quickly, and it’s crucial to fact-check before sharing. The cricket world has seen its fair share of fake news, and it’s time to be more responsible when sharing information online.
- Shahid Afridi’s death news was fake.
- Nathan McCullum and Umar Akmal were also victims of similar rumors.
- Heath Streak’s death news was shared by Henry Olonga, but it was later revealed to be false.