Indo-Pak T20 clash witnesses 22 million interactions on Facebook

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: The most coveted World Twenty20 clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan not only kept the crowd on foot at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata but it also shook the online social networking site Facebook. The social media website witnessesd as many as 22 million interactions between 8.2 million unique Facebook users showing support for their teams.

The most mentioned players were India's star batsman Virat Kohli and Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi. On the women's front, the most talked-about cricketers were India's Mithali Raj and Pakistan's Sana Mir.

Bollywood celebrities did not take a backseat either and showcased full support for the nation. Priyanka Chopra, Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, John Abraham, Abhishek Bachchan and Shraddha Kapoor were some names who added profile frames to their 'profile pictures' supporting Team India.

With a tagline saying "Go Team India" on her profile frame, actress Priyanka Chopra wrote: "I've arrived a little late to this party... blame it on my endless days and different timezones! But I'm super excited to support team India at the ICC World Twenty 2016."

"Great Win Team India!! Thank you for the innings and gesture Virat Kohli! Team India returning to the dressing room after the game, waved to me. Felt like I never left the team...," wrote India's former cricket star Sachin Tendulkar, who posted on Facebook and Instagram a selfie with a celebrating crowd in the background.

Another selfie featuring actors Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan with the caption, "Bachchan boyz in da house!!! Let's do this India!!", was posted while the father-son duo were on their way to Kolkata to watch the match.

Facebook Live was widely used for live streaming match related content.

(With IANS inputs)