Pakistan all-rounder Khushdil Shah lost his temper as he ran towards some fans after the Mohammad Rizwan-led team suffered a loss in the third and final ODI against New Zealand on Saturday at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. What exactly made Khushdil run aggressively towards a group of the supporters is not known.
Fans Taunt Khushdil Shah Over Series Defeat
The fans kept taunting Khushdil Shah time and again for the team’s performance during their tour of New Zealand, where they lost 1-4 in the five-match T20I series and 0-3 in the three-match ODI series.
Support Staff Intervenes to Defuse Tension
Eventually, the 30-year-old lost his temper, going after fans in the stands. The rest of the support staff soon intervened and took Khushdil away before things turned worse.
PCB Releases Statement on Spectator Misconduct With Khushdil Shah
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also released an official statement, stating foreign fans hurled abusive words towards the players. In the statement, Khushdil took it upon himself after he heard anti-Pakistan chants.
PCB Condemns Abusive Language and Anti-Pakistan Slogans
“The management of the Pakistan cricket team has condemned the use of abusive language by foreign spectators against national players. In today’s match, foreign spectators made inappropriate comments against cricketers who were on the field,” the PCB stated.
“When anti-Pakistan slogans were raised, cricketer Khushdil Shah intervened and asked the spectators to hold back. The Afghan spectators responded by using more inappropriate words in Pashto. After a complaint from the Pakistani team, stadium officials took action and threw out the two unruly spectators,” the statement further added.
Pakistan Lose Third ODI by 43 Runs
Pakistan’s poor play was also repeated in various places during the third and final ODI, and the touring side lost the final game of their tour by 43 runs. Mohammad Rizwan and his team were unable to pursue 265 in a rain-reduced game.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan scored knocks of 50 and 37, keeping the visitors in the game. Once the duo had lost their wickets, though, no other batter was able to rise to the occasion. That ultimately lead to a comfortably win for the Kiwis, winning the series 3-0 clean sweep.
Tour Ends in Disappointment for Pakistan
It must be noted that Khushdil Shah was not part of the playing XI in the third and final against the BlackCaps.
Earlier, Pakistan had lost the first two ODIs too. Earlier, the BlackCaps had beaten the visitors 4-1 in the five-match T20I series.
The times have been challenging for Pakistan of late as previously the team was unable to make it to the semi-final of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.