Pakistan Files Complaint About 'Inappropriate Conduct' by Fans at Cricket World Cup Clash with India

 

Pakistan Files Complaint About 'Inappropriate Conduct' by Fans at Cricket World Cup Clash with India

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially voiced its discontent with the "inappropriate" behavior exhibited by some fans during the recent Cricket World Cup game between Pakistan and India at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Social media erupted with videos showcasing instances of religious-centric chants aimed at Pakistan's cricketers as India secured a convincing seven-wicket victory in front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 100,000 fans on Saturday.

On Tuesday, the PCB filed a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC), registering their concerns "in respect of inappropriate conduct targeted at the Pakistan squad during the India vs. Pakistan match."

This match marked India's eighth consecutive victory over its archrival in the 50-over World Cup, as Pakistan was bowled out for a mere 191 runs, losing its last eight wickets for a meager 36 runs.

In contrast, Pakistan had previously played World Cup matches in Hyderabad, where they were warmly received, especially during their victories over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.

However, the atmosphere took a different turn in Ahmedabad, where Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, faced boos from the crowd when he arrived for the toss alongside Indian skipper Rohit Sharma.

Mickey Arthur, the director of the Pakistan cricket team, expressed his concerns, remarking that the match resembled a "bilateral series" rather than a typical ICC event. He stated, "Look, I'd be lying if I said it did not affect us. It didn't seem like an ICC event, to be brutally honest. It seemed like a bilateral series, it seemed like a BCCI event."

Notably, only a handful of journalists from Pakistan were able to travel to Ahmedabad, and fans in Pakistan had limited access to information regarding visas for the event.

In addition to the complaint about inappropriate fan behavior, the PCB has also "lodged another formal protest with the ICC over delays in visas for Pakistani journalists and the absence of a visa policy for Pakistan fans."