After Naseem Shah’s last-over sixes secured a thrilling victory for the Babar Azam-led team in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2022 on Wednesday, legendary Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar slammed the Afghanistan team.
With back-to-back sixes by Tailender Shah, Pakistan was able to advance to the Asia Cup championship game. The Pakistani team’s outstanding victory also established India’s early elimination from the 2022 Asia Cup.
Asif Ali of Pakistan and Fareed Malik of Afghanistan got into a heated argument during the low-scoring thriller between the two teams at the renowned Sharjah Cricket Stadium. When Ahmed defeated Asif with a bouncer in the 19th over of Pakistan’s inning, tensions erupted.
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After the game, Akhtar launched a diatribe against Mohammad Nabi and company by posting an incendiary video on YouTube, denouncing their on-field actions.
“What was that behaviour after dismissing Asif Ali, who pushed him around and even verbally insulted him? We as a country always love and support Afghanistan during their difficult times. You play cricket and display your enthusiasm for the game, but you shouldn’t display such arrogance, Akhtar said. “This is why Allah punished you, and this is why Allah made a Pathan (Naseem Shah) hit a six against you, humiliating you and the Afghanistan team,” Akhtar said.
Pakistan was reduced to 118-9 in the 19th over, needing 130 to win the game and go to the Asia Cup championship match. Babar was in charge of Pakistan. Pakistan advanced to the Asia Cup final thanks to two sixes from Shah in the last over. Although Akhtar praised the Afghan team for their tenacity, the former Pakistan pacer also suggested that they keep their emotions under check while playing.
Akhtar continued. “You are a terrific team and Afghanistan is playing good cricket, but you shouldn’t make it personal. Even in India, where the phrase “India wale Pappiya jhapiya kar rahe hai hamare saath,” “aap hai ki hamare bhai hai,” “sah mulk hain,” and “hum apse laad bhi karte hai” are used, we don’t act in this manner. (Even with the Indian team, we don’t take it personally. We treat you as though you are one of our brothers and a neighboring country that we love and care for, so to be acting so brazenly in front of them is unacceptable, yaar”
