The second One Day International of the three-match series between Afghanistan and Pakistan got abandoned in Hambantota on Thursday. Naseem’s last ball heroics reminded everyone of last year’s Asia Cup as he hit the second to last ball of the game for a four to hand his side a one-wicket win.
However, it seems the players’ emotions ran high. During the post-match handshake tradition, Pakistan’s left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi avoided shaking hands with the Afghan players.
As Shaheen walked back, Captain Babar Azam warmly called him back and encouraged him to shake hands. This gesture was actually reflective of Babur’s efforts to ensure harmony regardless of confrontation.
ok two things:
1. Shaheen didn’t want to shake hands with Afghans and I can now see Babar and others calling him “Shaheena.. Aaja”.
2. How did Wasim Junior reach Naseem so quickly? https://t.co/EsIDH4NQmx— DB (@DbbayMeinDaba) 24 August 2023
Nevertheless, the handshake episode did not end the tension as another episode came to the fore when Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah angrily approached Babar.
Nasim complained to Babur, for reasons unknown. However, shortly afterwards, the captain himself walked up to Afghanistan’s star all-rounder Mohammad Nabi and clashed with him.
While the details of Naseem’s complaint and the conversation that took place between Babar and Nabi are unknown, it is speculated that some controversial decisions, including the controversial run-out of Shadab Khan, which took place at the end of the match, may have been the reason behind Naseem’s decision. There are complaints.
inCThe performance of the second ODI between Pakistan and Afghanistan was a stark contrast to the series opener. Right-handed batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz emerged as the standout performer for Afghanistan as he scored a brilliant 151. The series will conclude with the final ODI in Colombo on Friday. After this, both the teams will take part in the Asia Cup starting on 30 August.
