MOUNT MAUNGANUI: All-rounder Khushdil Shah confronted the spectators on Saturday as they reportedly verbally abused the team after Pakistan suffered a clean sweep by New Zealand in the ODI series.
Reportedly, a section of the crowd reportedly heckled and verbally abused the team players after the completion of the match which Pakistan lost.
The comments did not sit well with the all-rounder who attempted to confront the perpetrators but was quickly restrained by the security authorities and his teammates.
Visuals from the confrontation quickly went viral on social media, forcing the PCB to respond. A spokesperson from the body clarified that abusive comments were made by foreign fans, and they shouted anti-Pakistan slogans in the presence of the players.
A formal complaint from Pakistan’s team was filed, after which the security officials escorted the two disruptive fans out of the stadium.
“The Pakistan cricket team management strongly condemns the abusive language directed at national players by foreign spectators,” the PCB said in its official statement.
“During the match, foreign spectators made inappropriate remarks towards players on the field. When anti-Pakistan slogans were shouted, cricketer Khushdil Shah stepped in and requested the spectators to stop.”
In response, Afghan spectators escalated the situation by using further offensive language in Pashto.
Following the complaint from the Pakistan team, stadium officials intervened and escorted the two spectators out.”