Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar defended cricketer Mohammed Shami after facing backlash for not fasting during Ramadan. He was seen drinking energy drinks while playing in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Akhtar expressed his support for the cricketer and asked him not to pay attention to these ‘large -scale stupids’.

While reacting to trolls, The veteran lyricist wrote on X, “Shami saheb, does not give a curse to those reactionary Bigotted stupids who have a problem with your drinking water in a burning afternoon in a cricket ground in Dubai. This is none of his business. You are one of the great Indian team who is wishing all of us and our entire team (SIC). ,

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Shami, who was seen consuming an energy Drinks during the match in Dubai were called one “Criminal” by Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, The President of All India Muslim Jamaat to give up fast during Ramadan.

He said, “By not keeping ‘fast’, he has committed a crime. He should not do so. In the eyes of Sharia, he is a criminal. He will have to answer God.”

Apart from Javed Akhtar, Shami’s cousin, Dr. Mumtaz also defended the cricketer, pointing out that many Pakistani players also opted not to fast while playing.

Shami had an important contribution to India’s victory in Australia in the semi -finals of the tournament in Dubai, taking 3 wickets for 48 runs in 10 overs.