ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s all-rounder Khushdil Shah found himself restrained by security personnel as he attempted to confront a group of spectators who taunted the team over their dismal performance against New Zealand in the five T20I and three ODI matches series.
A snapshot and video capturing this tense moment has since taken social media by storm.
In the third ODI played in Mount Maunganui on Saturday, the visiting team was tasked with chasing down a target of 265 in a 42-over showdown.
While Babar Azam managed to notch a half-century with a solid 50 runs off 58 balls, it ultimately fell short, leaving the Men in Green 43 runs adrift.
The standout bowler, Ben Sears, delivered a remarkable performance with figures of 9-0-34-5, dismantling the Pakistani batting line-up for just 221 runs in 40 overs.
This defeat sealed a disheartening 3-0 whitewash in the ODI series, adding to a 4-1 setback in the preceding T20I leg.
Despite Sears’ impressive five-wicket haul in the third ODI, the Player of the Match accolade went to Michael Bracewell, who scored a crucial 59.
This incident is not isolated; it echoes a previous confrontation involving Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf, who faced off with fans during last year’s T20 World Cup in the USA after they taunted him regarding Pakistan’s early exit from the tournament.
Meanwhile, the media reported an unsettling incident involving a pair of Afghan men who exhibited inappropriate behaviour towards the Pakistani cricketers.
According to the media, “While in Mount Maunganui, two Afghan individuals crossed the line with the players.
Khushdil Shah urged them to stop but they persisted with their abusive words, ultimately provoking a response from the cricketer.”
Pakistan Cricket Team Management Denounces Hostile Behaviour
During a recent match, foreign fans unleashed a torrent of offensive remarks directed at our national players.
When cricketer Khushdil Shah urged them to stop their misconduct, Afghan supporters escalated their verbal attacks in Pashto.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) responded to the incident involving Khushdil Shah, confirming that two Afghan individuals behaved inappropriately towards Pakistani cricketers in Mount Maunganui.
Despite Khushdil’s plea for them to stop, the abuse persisted, leading to a notable reaction from the player:
PCB pic.twitter.com/vQQVEtmsuW
It is pertinent to mention that Khushdil Shah was not included in the playing squad for all three ODIs. When this incident occurred, he was standing on the boundary, and in a moment of frustration, he charged towards the crowd.
It is also significant to highlight that Khushdil participated in 4 of the 5 matches in the T20I series. Across those 4 innings, he managed to accumulate only 40 runs, while on the bowling front, he claimed a single wicket, conceding 46 runs in 5 overs.
As the T20 tournament kicks off on April 11, Pakistan’s players are set to unite with their respective PSL franchises.
