Pakistan have just completed their tour of New Zealand and it wasn't a good one. They lost the 5-match T20I series, 4-1 and were whitewashed in the 3-match ODI series (3-0). The travelling fans weren't pleased with the performances. This anger culminated in a heated exchange in regard to political tensions.
New Zealand Cricket said it responded to a complaint from Pakistan management.
"NZC can confirm two spectators were ejected from Bay Oval last night following alleged abuse of Pakistan players at the end of the match," an NZC spokesperson said. "Insults shouted in a foreign language, thought to be Pushto, prompted an angry reaction from squad member Khushdil Shah - who responded by confronting the pair.
"Ground security prevented the incident escalating further and removed the offending spectators from the premises."
The incident occurred amid heightened political and militant tension in Pakistan's western provinces bordering Afghanistan.
Emotions ran high during Pakistan’s painful defeat against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui, as a group of angry fans clashed with national team players, resulting in an unpleasant scene at the stadium.
According to sources, the incident occurred when three foreign cricket fans -- believed to be of Afghan origin -- began shouting inappropriate and abusive remarks at Pakistani players following the team’s poor performance. Their behaviour sparked visible frustration among the players and fans alike.
Things escalated when Pakistani cricketer, Khushdil Shah, tried to intervene, asking the fans to stop using offensive language and raising anti-Pakistan slogans. A heated exchange followed and photos from the incident show Khushdil visibly angry, with a stadium official attempting to restrain him.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that after Khushdil’s intervention, the fans responded with even more vulgar language, this time in Pashto, further worsening the situation.
The Pakistani team management condemned the incident, stating that while criticism is part of the game, abuse and disrespect towards national players can't be tolerated under any circumstances.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said foreign fans shouted inappropriate words at national players during the match, at which cricketer Khushdil Shah intervened and appealed to the fans to stop chanting anti-Pakistan slogans.
"In response, the Afghan fans made matters worse by using more obscene words in Pashto," the PCB statement said, adding that following a formal complaint by the Pakistani team, stadium authorities took swift action and two of the disruptive fans were evicted from the venue for their behaviour.
Officials at the stadium have reiterated their commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for players and spectators of all nationalities.
Former Pakistan batter, Basit Ali, has criticised the national cricket team following their dismal performance in the One Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand. The visitors suffered a clean sweep, losing the third and final match by 43 runs on Saturday, compounding their woes after a 4-1 defeat in the preceding T20I series.
After the defeat, Basit was frustrated and while speaking on his YouTube channel, labelled the day a, "black day in Pakistan cricket." He drew a stark contrast between the current team’s struggles and the dominance Pakistan once held over New Zealand, particularly highlighting the era of legendary fast bowlers, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
Basit said, "In my eyes, today was the black day in Pakistan cricket. Even for those who left the game." He added, "When Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis used to bowl, the New Zealand batters couldn’t move their foot. Now, they’re doing commentary and criticising us. They were laughing at us when Pakistan sent Usman Khan as concussion substitute."
Basit also criticised Captain Mohammad Rizwan and questioned his leadership. "Where was Rizwan (when Imam left the field)? His captaincy was so bad, he doesn’t even know who to bowl at what overs. It’s like school cricket," he asserted.
Furthermore, Basit expressed scepticism regarding the injury sustained by opener, Imam-ul-Haq, suggesting it was a ploy to avoid further pressure.
"Imam got scared after being hit and walked off. He just wanted to save himself. Does he think we can’t see? All of these players want money. It’s the tragedy of Pakistan cricket. There’s no one to replace them. Even if you sit out in one series, you can come back in the next," Basit explained, highlighting his concerns about the players’ commitment.
After the match, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and the need for improvement. "Disappointing series for us. (Positives) Babar was in good touch with two fifties. Naseem Shah’s batting as well. In the bowling, Sufiyan Muqeem was the guy who bowled really well. I give credit to New Zealand in all departments. They’ve been playing well," Rizwan said during the post-match presentation.
He further added, "We know that these are difficult conditions for us here, but they played in Pakistan really well. They played against us in Pakistan. There are professionals in all departments. We need to improve, that’s it."
When questioned about whether Saturday’s performance was their best of the tour despite the loss, Rizwan stated, "If you lose, you can’t say like that. Individually, we are good. New Zealand won all the key moments. After the Champions Trophy and this series, we’ll leave the past. PSL [Pakistan Super League] is a big tournament for us in Pakistan, hopefully our nation will enjoy. Hopefully, we’ll do well in PSL."
Mohammad Rizwan’s remark that, 'Pakistan will enjoy' the PSL, immediately after the national team suffered an ODI series sweep in New Zealand, has sparked backlash, with journalists and fans criticising the team’s mindset. A fan even termed the mindset as, 'clownish.'
His comments, though, got lost in translation and have been perceived as the mentality of the team which doesn’t care about the national team and international cricket. Rizwan and the Pakistan cricket team have come under fire with journalists and fans slamming them for worrying about PSL and not the poor results in New Zealand.
Besides losing the ODI series, 3-0, Pakistan were also thrashed 4-1 by the New Zealanders in the T20I series. Pakistan also finished last in their group in the Champions Trophy which was played at home.
Reacting sharply to Rizwan’s comments, Syed Ali Imran said that the statement reflects the, "mindset" of the team which doesn’t care for Pakistan cricket.
"Mohammad Rizwan’s statement on PSL overshadowing the embarrassing state of Pakistan cricket speaks volumes about the current mindset of our cricket. Enjoy karo bhai (Let’s enjoy brother). Yahan jo barbaad kar rahey hai un ko koi farak nahi parta.. tu ap, mein apna khoon kyun jalaye? (People who are destroying Paksitan cricket are not worries so why should be worry?) #PakistanCricket," he wrote on X.
Another journalist, Basit Subhani, said that Pakistan cricket needs to get rid of such a mindset. "Rizwan’s statement sums up all what’s wrong with Pakistan Cricket. Sack such mindset!" he said on X.
A fan criticised Rizwan for comparing international and domestic cricket: "Rizwan the failure captain comparing international cricket to a domestic league. Clownish stuff."
There's no need to bring international tensions onto a sports field. I somewhat agree with the actions of Khushdil Shah. One should always protect their country where possible and defend it from potential, "enemies." I would never physically confront them though.
I don't know what Mohammad Rizwan was thinking. International cricket should always take priority over domestic cricket. Deflecting the issues at hand won't make things better or make people forget about them. I tend to agree with criticisms that was dished out from the journalists and fans.