Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has defended player Khushdil Shah after photos emerged of him trying to jump over a fence to confront fans after the third One-Day International against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui. Pakistan lost the game by 43 runs after it was curtailed to 42 overs each side due to a wet outfield. The two fans that Khushdil got into an argument with were evicted from the stands.
PCB posted a statement condemning the verbal abuse of its players during the game.
“During the match today, foreign spectators hurled inappropriate remarks at (Pakistan) cricketers present on the field,” the PCB said in a statement before claiming that Khushdil had gotten involved after anti-Pakistan slogans were said from the stands.
“Afghan spectators escalated the situation by using further inappropriate language in Pashto,” PCB added in its statement.
The incident marked an end to Pakistan’s woeful tour of New Zealand where they had lost the T20I series by a 1-4 margin before they were swept by a 0-3 margin in the ODIs.
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The third ODI had also seen Imam-ul-Haq being forced to retire hurt after a freak injury at the start of their chase as the ball had snuck into helmet and hit his jaw.
Imam went for a CT scan at the Tauranga Hospital in Mount Maunganui after the injury. The player was “reported as normal.” He was diagnosed with a mild concussion, the PCB said, and was declared fit to fly back home with the team.
“Obviously it was a disappointing series for us,” Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan said afterwards. “But if you look at the positives, Babar Azam is in very good touch. Looking at the bowling Sufiyan Muqeem was the guy.”
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