New Delhi: A Palestine supporter donning a t-shirt that said ‘stop bombing Palestine’ on one side and ‘free Palestine’ on the other invaded the pitch during the India-Australia cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad today, November 19.
They also appeared to hold a pride flag in his hand, which has been reported by some news organisations as a Palestine flag.
A pitch invader at #INDvsAUS cricket World Cup final with a message on his T-shirt ‘Stop Bombing Palestine’ in Ahmedabad, India. #gaza
Photos: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images. pic.twitter.com/EjJXqGN3xf
— Ahmer Khan (@ahmermkhan) November 19, 2023
The person was in a mask – also with the Palestine flag on it – and appeared to want to embrace star batsman Virat Kohli, who was batting with K.L. Rahul at that point, during the 14th over of the match. The Palestine-supporter was led away by security persons.
The moment was not shown on live telecasts but images were shared by multiple news sites and social media commentators.
#FreePalestine message makes it to the Narendra Modi Stadium
The pitch invader we did not see on broadcast sported a mask with the Palestine flag colours and a plea to stop the bombing in Gaza on his shirt. #CWC23 #INDvsAUSfinal #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/g9LK87QXiz
— Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻💻 (@lav_narayanan) November 19, 2023
The world of sports has played home to significant protest for Palestine as it continues to face the worst of Israel’s retaliation to an October 7 attack by Hamas.
In a latest update, the WHO has called for an evacuation from Gaza’s largest hospital, Al Shifa, calling it a “death zone.” Israel and Hamas have reportedly reached a tentative deal to free hostages and pause fighting.