Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja said there is no place for hooliganism in the gentleman’s game and blamed Afghanistan fans for the off-field brawl between supporters of both the nations after a nail-biting Asia Cup 2022 Super 4 match in Sharjah.
An angry PCB chief said they would be lodging a protest over the events to the ICC and Asian cricket bodies, including Emirates Cricket Board.
“There is no place for hooliganism in cricket. Afghanistan as a nation, team have to control their emotions if they are to progress further,” Ramiz said at a press conference. “It was a great match both teams fought hard but there was no need for such scenes after the match.”
It was not the first time such an incident happened. The passionate fans of both teams had come to blows even during the T20 World Cup last year and the 2019 ODI World Cup.
Meanwhile, the UAE Police authorities arrested 97 Afghan nationals for damaging Sharjah stadium infrastructure and fighting around the stadium.
Also, 117 people were arrested from other parts of UAE who were involved in the VIOLENCE against Pakistani cricket fans.
A total of 391 people were arrested and will likely face heavy fines and deportation from the UAE along with a lifetime ban on UAE visas, as per reports.
Afghanistan cricket fans vandalized the stadium, hurled chairs at the Pakistan fans and were involved in scattered fist-fights outside the stadium premises following their last-over defeat to Pakistan in an Asia Cup Super 4 match that knocked them out of the tournament.
Asif, Fareed fined: Asif Ali and Fareed Ahmad have been punished for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the Asia Cup clash between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The pair have been fined 25% of their match fees for an altercation which occurred after the fifth delivery of the 19TH over.
Tensions had been boiling over between the neighbors as Asif lost his cool and angrily waved his bat at Afghan bowler Fareed in the 19TH over. Fareed had struck twice in the over including the key wicket of big-hitting Asif.
The batsman, who hit two sixes in a brisk 16 off eight balls, was caught at short fine-
leg in an attempt to hook a bouncer and became embroiled in a row with Fareed as he made his way off the field.
