Iftikhar Ahmed apologises after on-field spat with Asad Shafiq

In a fiery showdown during a Sindh Premier League encounter on January 31, Pakistani cricketers Iftikhar Ahmed and Asad Shafiq found themselves at the centre of attention. Representing Karachi Ghazi, Iftikhar dismissed Larkana Challengers' skipper Shafiq in the eighth over, which sparked a heated exchange between the two players. The spinner's animated send-off to Shafiq drew criticism from fans after a video of the incident went viral on social media.

Shafiq, visibly perturbed by Iftikhar's actions, confronted the spinner on the field, that led to intervention from officials and players to diffuse the situation. The tense moment came after Shafiq had earlier struck Pakistan all-rounder for a six and a four in the same over, possibly fuelling the spinner's charged response.

Here's the video of spat between Iftikhar and Shafiq:

The match itself saw Karachi Ghazi defend a target of 161 runs, ultimately restricting Larkana Challengers to a mere 92 runs. Iftikhar played a pivotal role as he claimed three wickets and contributed 69 runs with the bat. Karachi Ghazi clinched a comprehensive victory and triumphed over the Larkana Challengers by a margin of 68 runs. With this win, Karachi Ghazi notched their third victory in five matches and secured the third spot in the league standings. 

Iftikhar Ahmed apologises to Shafiq for on-filed conduct

Following the match, Iftikhar took to social media platform X to extend an apology to Asad Shafiq. Ahmed expressed regret over his animated reaction on the field and admitted his mistake. He stated that he had personally apologised to Shafiq after the game and acknowledged that his behaviour was uncalled for. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining sportsmanship and respect in cricket.

"I am extremely apologetic for my behaviour in the field today. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did in the heat of the moment. I’ve apologised to @asadshafiq1986 Bhai in person after the match & have always held great regards for him. We have played a lot of cricket together," his post read.

Here's Iftikhar Ahmed's latest post on 'X':