Cricketer Mohammed Shami faced online criticism for drinking water during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 while not observing Ramadan's Roza. This prompted religious leader Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi to criticize Shami, while writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar defended him.
Javed Akhtar posted on X, telling Shami to ignore the "reactionary bigoted idiots" who had a problem with him drinking water while playing cricket in Dubai. He emphasized that it was Shami's personal choice and that Shami and the Indian team were making the country proud.
Javed Akhtar wrote, "Shami saheb , don’t give a damn to those reactionary bigoted idiots who have any problem with your drinking water in a burning afternoon at a cricket field in Dubai . It is none of their business. You are one of the great Indian team that is making us all proud My best wishes to you and our whole team ."
About controversy
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, called Shami "a criminal" for not fasting, stating that it violated religious law and that he would have to answer to God.
Besides Javed Akhtar, Shami's cousin, Dr. Mumtaz, defended him, pointing out that some Pakistani cricketers also choose not to fast while playing. He called the criticism "disgraceful" and advised Shami to ignore it and focus on his match. Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) chief Rohit Pawar also supported Shami.