Afghanistan captain, Rashid Khan, has urged Afghan and Pakistani cricket fans to exhibit brotherhood during the upcoming three-match T20I series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Speaking to the media, the leg-spinner emphasized that cricket is a game where winning and losing is a part of it. He further added that players and spectators should control their anger and emotions during the matches.
Rashid Khan’s call for peace and mutual respect is timely, given the history of tense relations between the two countries in the past. There have been several incidents of unruly behavior by both players and fans, which have often marred cricket matches between the two nations. The Afghanistan skipper’s message is aimed at creating a conducive environment for healthy competition and sportsmanship.
In a bid to ensure that the matches are played in a peaceful environment, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Najam Sethi, recently had a conversation with Afghan board officials. During the discussion, Sethi urged the Afghan board to control their players and fans during the series. He emphasized that such a move was necessary to avoid any untoward incidents that could damage the bilateral cricketing relationship between the two nations.
Sethi also noted that the UAE authorities had implemented a plan to ensure that Pakistani and Afghan fans would not sit together in the same stand. This move is aimed at preventing any confrontation between the supporters of both teams during the matches. The PCB chairman highlighted that previous incidents had damaged the reputation of both teams, and it was important to take measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The upcoming T20I series between Afghanistan and Pakistan is an opportunity for both teams to showcase their cricketing prowess. However, it is important to remember that cricket is a gentleman’s game that promotes sportsmanship and mutual respect. The call for peace and brotherhood by Rashid Khan and the efforts of the PCB chairman are steps in the right direction to ensure that the series is played in the true spirit of the game.
