Afghanistan’s on-field behaviour is not acceptable: Shoaib Akhtar

Afghanistan and Pakistan played out arugably one of the best matches of the ongoing Asia Cup on Wednesday (September 7). While Afghanistan had it in their bag when the last over, Naseem Shah literally pulled off the unthinkable hitting a couple of sixes to take Pakistan home in a dramatic fashion. But the game was marred by some ugly scenes in the middle in the 19th over and Shoaib Akhtar isn’t pleased one bit with it.

Fareed Malik and Asif Ali confronted each other very aggressively after the latter was dismissed with things even going out of hands at one stage. The bowler celebrated aggressively in the face of the batter after dismissing Asif which the latter didn’t like and raised his bat in anger. Both players got physical as well only for the Afghanistan players and the umpires had to intervene.

We are so well-behaved with them, says Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has expressed disappointment over Afghanistan’s behaviour with Pakistan. This isn’t the first time when tempers have flared between the players of two teams. While many are lashing out at Asif Ali for his behaviour, Akhtar feels the Afghanistan bowler was at fault and reckoned the behaviour of their players is not correct every time a match between the two teams take place.

He compared the same to Indian players pointing out how both teams cricketers respect each other and hug when they meet. “Afghanistan are playing good cricket, you are a good team, but you should make it personal. We don’t do this to even India, India wale Pappiya jhapiya kar rahe hai hamare saath, aap hai ki hamare bhai hai, sah mulk hain, hum apse laad bhi karte hai, khyal bhi rakhte hai, and aap kya batameezi bhi karte ho”

“(We do not make it personal with even the Indian team. We are so well-behaved with them and here you are, we consider you our brothers, you are our neighbouring nation, we love and take care of and here you are showing your brazenness) this is not acceptable yaar,” Akhtar said on his Youtube Channel.