An Afghan fan misbehaved with Pakistani pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi during a second T20I match between Ireland and Pakistan in Dublin.
A video of the Afghan cricket fan heckling the cricketer emerged on social media. Shaheen Shah Afridi got infuriated by the disrespect shown by the spectator. It is not clear in the video as to what the Afghan said, however, it does show Afridi turning back to respond to him.
Security personnel stepped in to diffuse the tensions and stopped Shaheen Shah Afridi. The cricketer also ignored the behavior and went away. Later, security officials removed the Afghan fan from the stadium.
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This is not the first time, Afghan fans have created a nuisance against Pakistan. Back in 2019, the atmosphere in Pakistan and Afghanistan’s world cup game turned ugly, as Afghan fans created a disturbance outside the stadium.
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The news of the disturbance caused by Afghan fans outside Leed’s Headingly stadium first surfaced on social media. Videos showed young men waving Afghan flags ganging up on a person and beating him outside the stadium. Another video showed Afghan fans quarreling with security and trying to force their way into the stadium. TV reports said 2 people had been arrested in connection with the incidents.
The news of the disturbance by Afghan fans drew a heavily critical reaction from social media, many people said that such a disturbance had never even been seen at a Pakistan-India match.
In 2021, Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan appealed to Afghan fans to remain calm during the Pakistan and Afghanistan match.
“I request all the fans to stay cool and calm and just enjoy the game. What happened in the 2019 match should not have happened,” said Rashid Khan.
A similar incident of hooliganism by Afghan fans was witnessed when Pakistan defeated Afghanistan after a thrilling match in Sharjah.