Asian Games: Bizarre rule gave India gold medal, says Afghanistan pacer Fareed Ahmad
Fareed says both teams should have shared gold medal after the final was abandoned because of rain
Fareed, who along with former skipper Gulbadin Naib and Sharafuddin Ashraf, was a member of the Afghanistan Asian games contingent landed in Delhi on Tuesday morning. (Twitter) Fareed Ahmad, who played a crucial role in Afghanistan reaching the final of the Hangzhou Asian Games, says it was unfair for the organisers to hand over the gold medal to India despite the match being abandoned due to rain.
“They should have split the gold medal. Both teams should have been given the medal,” Fareed told The Indian Express at the sidelines of Afghanistan’s net session on Tuesday.
“It was quite a bizarre rule that India were awarded the gold. The match could have been closer if not for rain,” says Fareed, who is one of the reserves in the Afghanistan team for the World Cup.
The gold medal match in Hangzhou was abandoned after 18.2 overs, with Afghanistan placed at 112 for 5. India were awarded the gold medal because of being the highly-ranked team in the tournament. Fareed was pivotal in Afghanistan’s four-wicket win over Pakistan in the semifinal, where he picked up 3 for 15.
“It was a great experience to play in the Asian Games. The ground was very small. The Chinese fans were also funny. They were so excited to see us play. They used to clap on everything, be it a boundary, six or wicket. It was a different experience for them as well,” he laughs.
Fareed, who along with former skipper Gulbadin Naib and Sharafuddin Ashraf, was a member of the Afghanistan Asian games contingent landed in Delhi on Tuesday morning.
Fareed looked extremely sharp and hurried wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz a few times and even knocked out the middle stump once.
“I have dismissed KKR’s star now. I will have a go with Gujarat Titans vice-captain now,” he said referring to Rashid Khan.
“If I get Rashid, will Gujarat Titans go for me at the auction?,” he asked before marking his run-up.
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