ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja said yesterday, he will write a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the issue of physical dispute between Afghani and Pakistani fans Wednesday night at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

“You don't identify hooliganism with cricket. You don't want such things happening in cricket. We will draft a letter to ICC, we will raise our voice against this. We will do whatever we can. Because the visuals were really bad and this isn't the first time it has happened,” Ramiz said during a press conference Thursday. “Win or loss is a part of the game. It was a gruelling contest, it was a great match. But you need to keep your emotions in check because if you can't do that, you can't grow as a cricket-playing nation. So, we will definitely write a letter (to ICC), and we will show our concern.” Ramiz further said that Pakistan's cricket team could have been in danger as well.

“They are our fans. Anything could have happened. Our cricket team could have been in danger. We will lodge our protest while following all protocols,” said Ramiz. After Pakistan's dramatic victory over Afghanistan on Wednesday, the scenes turned nastier in the stands as the Afghanistan and Pakistan fans clashed against each other, and a video that has since gone viral on social media showed a number of Afghans vandalising the stadium property in Sharjah. In fact, some were also seen throwing seats at Pakistan fans.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 09 2022

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