The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has strongly criticized the conduct of some spectators during the third ODI match against New Zealand, which occurred on Saturday, where Pakistani players were allegedly subjected to verbal abuse by Afghan fans.
Following Pakistan’s 43-run defeat by New Zealand at Mount Maunganui, the PCB released a statement highlighting that foreign spectators directed inappropriate remarks towards the Pakistani cricketers on the field.
The situation escalated when anti-Pakistan slogans were accompanied by unseemly language in Pashto, prompting player Khushdil Shah to intervene, as stated by the PCB.
Authorities at the stadium took swift action and managed to expel two unruly spectators to restore calm, the PCB noted.
New Zealand’s victory sealed a series sweep as they claimed all three matches, and the visiting team also faced a challenging T20 series that ended 4-1 in favor of New Zealand.
In an unrelated incident during the match, Pakistan’s opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq suffered a minor facial injury. This occurred after a New Zealand fielder accidentally struck him with a throw in the third over of Pakistan’s batting innings.
Imam-ul-Haq was promptly taken to Tauranga Hospital for a CT scan, which fortunately showed normal results. He was subsequently diagnosed with a mild concussion but was deemed fit to travel back with the team, according to the PCB’s update.