Tension flared after the game as Khushdil Shah Fan Clash marked a dark moment. Pakistan lost the third ODI to New Zealand on Saturday at Bay Oval. It was in Mount Maunganui. The score was 43 runs short.
Series ended 0-3. Mohammad Rizwan led the side. Khushdil, a key all-rounder, charged at fans. It happened right after the match. No one knows what set him off.
Fans had been harsh all tour. They taunted Khushdil over losses. Pakistan lost 1-4 in the T20I series. Then 0-3 in ODIs. The 30-year-old snapped. He rushed towards the crowd. Tried to confront them. Support staff moved fast. They pulled him back.
Stopped things from worsening. Security stepped in too. Kept order. Fans were loud. Some cheered. Some jeered.
The Pakistan Cricket Board reacted strong. They issued a statement Sunday. Said foreign spectators crossed lines. Used abusive language against players. Claimed anti-Pakistan slogans triggered it. Khushdil tried to calm things. Asked fans to stop. But they didn’t. Afghan spectators doubled down. Used more insults in Pashto. Stadium officials acted. Ejected two troublemakers. Case closed there.
“The Pakistan cricket team management condemns this fully. Foreign spectators hurled inappropriate remarks at our players during the match. Khushdil Shah stepped in when he heard anti-Pakistan slogans. He urged restraint. But the situation escalated. We stand by our player,” the PCB said. They defended Khushdil. Said he acted under pressure. Fans’ behavior was the problem.
