Former ACB CEO Shafiq Stanikzai lashed out at Asif Ali after his heated altercation with Afghanistan’s Fareed Ahmad.
Asif Ali was criticised by Shafiq Stanikzai, the former chief executive of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), for his behaviour during the Asia Cup 2022 Super Four match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan defeated Afghanistan on Wednesday, September 7, by a single wicket, securing a spot in the tournament’s championship match, which will take place later this week. Sri Lanka qualified by displacing India and Afghanistan in addition to Pakistan.
As far as Asif Ali is concerned, he was observed having a heated argument with Afghan fast bowler Fareed Ahmad Malik during the game. The other players and umpires on the pitch had to step in after Asif was spotted aiming his bat at the speedster.
A video clearly depicts that Fareed was the first one to signal aggressiveness towards Asif.
I'm sorry but this was NOT celebration, this was CLEAR provocation and Asif Ali rightly pushed him away. @ICC must fine Fareed the Idiot pic.twitter.com/EHCeVU5sAj
— T (@Tabeshq) September 7, 2022
Social Media Response
Asif Ali should be barred from the remainder of the present competition, according to Stanikzai, who said that the Pakistani batter’s action was nothing more than “stupidity.” Asif shouldn’t have used force, according to the veteran.
This is stupidity at extreme level by Asif Ali and should be ban from the rest of the tournament, any bowler has the right to celebrate but being physical is not acceptable at all https://t.co/ebnqSaRRmD
— Shafiq Stanikzai (@ShafiqStanikzai) September 7, 2022
Shoaib Akhtar, a former fast bowler, has spoke on the subject earlier. According to Akhtar, the Afghan cricket team’s “arrogant” behaviour was the reason they lost the game.
Afghan players put right back into their place by 19 year old kid Naseem Shah. Unforgettable match against people we have loved & supported always.
Lekin bat tamizi aur arrogance nay un no foran neecha dikhaya.Full video: https://t.co/u3LsS2GfrD pic.twitter.com/X6Obdq35bj
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) September 7, 2022
In another tweet, Akhtar called out Stanikzai and the Afghan crowd.
This is what Afghan fans are doing.
This is what they've done in the past multiple times.This is a game and its supposed to be played and taken in the right spirit.@ShafiqStanikzai your crowd & your players both need to learn a few things if you guys want to grow in the sport. pic.twitter.com/rg57D0c7t8— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) September 7, 2022
With 11 runs needed off the last over, Naseem Shah pulled off two massive sixes off Fazalhaq Farooqi and helped Pakistan win the match with four balls to spare.
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According to sources, match referee Andy Pycroft called the two players to a hearing after the game and summoned them. He explained to the players the penalties for violating Level 1 of the rule. Pycroft is one of the ICC panel’s strictest match referees, according to senior sports journalist Abdul Majid Bhatti, and both players could receive the harshest punishment.
He claimed that because Afghanistan had already been eliminated from the competition, Ahmed’s suspension had no impact on them. Pakistan may run into difficulty as they attempt to win the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka if they lose one of their most reliable batsmen.