Pakistani all-rounder Khushdil Shah drew attention after confronting two Afghan men in Mount Maunganui, following Pakistan’s crushing defeat against New Zealand in the third ODI.
The historic whitewash sparked tension between fans and players. Reports say Shah, along with other Pakistani players, was subjected to verbal abuse and derogatory remarks by the two men.
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Despite asking them to stop, the harassment continued, leading Shah to confront them directly. The situation escalated into a brief altercation before security intervened and separated the parties.
Footage of the incident went viral on social media, igniting debate about the mistreatment of cricketers off the field. Many fans and analysts expressed concern over the psychological toll such incidents take on players, especially after tough losses.
In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a statement standing firmly behind Khushdil Shah. The board acknowledged the responsibility of players to maintain composure but stressed their right to respect and personal safety in public.
PCB also highlighted the need for better protection of players in all environments. This incident adds to the mounting pressure on the team following their 4-1 T20I series loss and ODI whitewash against New Zealand.
