Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Ramiz Raja, on Thursday, September 8, opened up on the controversy that erupted on Wednesday night during Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2022 match against Afghanistan at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

During the tense chase, Pakistan’s Asif Ali was dismissed by Afghanistan’s Fareed Ahmed after being hit for a six and was given a fiery sendoff as well. This led to Asif physically pushing Fareed away from him and also threatened to hit him with his bat before players and umpires intervened.

Pakistan won the match by 1 wicket and eliminated not only Afghanistan but Team India as well from the race to the final.

This also resulted in a huge fight between Pakistani fans and Afghan fans in the Sharjah stadium which saw chairs being thrown at one another. Later Pakistani fans were beaten outside the stadium by Afghanistan fans.

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Reacting strongly to the whole issue, PCB chief Ramiz Raja said that this isn’t the first time Afghanistani fans have reacted in such a violent manner against Pakistani supporters and he will discuss the issue with the ICC.

“This hooliganism is unacceptable. The match was a thriller but the visuals after the end of proceedings were worrying. This hasn’t happened for the first time. If you can’t control your emotions, you can’t grow as a nation in sports. We will write a letter to the ICC. it was upsetting to see such behavior. It's something that cricket does not need. Winning and losing are part of the game but you have to behave responsibly. Anything could have happened and our team could even have been in danger,” said Ramiz Raja in a press conference, the video of which PCB posted on Twitter.

Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in the finale while India will take on Afghanistan in the last match.