He said that our own people often contribute to tearing down our heroes instead of supporting them, especially in difficult times.

Speaking on a podcast, Babar discussed how social media memes, while often seen as humorous, have serious consequences on players’ mental well-being and performance.

Babar was referring to how a recent statement by Mohammad Rizwan — “Either we win, or we learn” — became viral on social media but not for the right reasons. Instead of being appreciated as a positive, growth-oriented mindset, it was turned into a joke.

“Rizwan’s message was clear: learn from defeat. But social media turned it into mockery. Now people run memes every day, and sadly, it’s our own people doing this,” Babar said.

He compared it with how foreign cricket teams handle such matters seriously, protecting their players from online hate to preserve their mental strength and focus. But in Pakistan, the culture is to kick someone when they’re already down, making memes and adding to their struggles.

Babar praised Mohammad Rizwan for his spiritual strength, saying that such negativity doesn’t affect him because he trusts Allah. “People once said make Rizwan captain. Now, the same people want him removed,” Babar noted, pointing to the public’s changing attitudes based on viral trends.

This statement isn’t just about memes — it’s a wake-up call. While India wages unprovoked attacks against Pakistan on borders, our athletes are being attacked by keyboard warriors at home. Instead of rallying behind national icons, some Pakistanis contribute to the negativity that enemy nations could only wish for.

At a time when Pakistan faces challenges on and off the field, Babar’s comments highlight a crucial issue: internal unity is just as important as external defence. Our words, posts, and jokes must not become tools that weaken our own heroes.

It’s time to ask — are we supporting our national pride, or tearing it down from within?