Pakistan cricket chief Ramiz Raja has criticised unruly fan behaviour after his team’s thrilling one-wicket win over Afghanistan in the Asia Cup in Sharjah.
Videos on social media of fans clashing and vandalising stadium property after Wednesday’s match went viral.
“You don’t identify hooliganism with cricket and this is unacceptable,” Raja, the former Pakistan player turned board chairman, said.
“This game doesn’t want such an environment. The visuals were really bad. This wasn’t the first time such a thing happened. Emotions should be kept in check, we own our fans and we lodge a protest with the ICC (International Cricket Council).”
Pakistan beat Afghanistan after Naseem Shah hit two sixes off Fazalhaq Farooqi in the final over of the match to take the team into Sunday’s final of the T20 tournament.
Trouble started when Afghanistan pace bowler Fareed Ahmad had a heated exchange with Pakistan’s Asif Ali after giving the batsman a send-off following his dismissal.
An angry Asif gestured in the direction of Fareed with his bat before players intervened along with the umpire to defuse the tension.
