'This is just a game, sports should be treated as sports' - Afghanistan assistant coach criticises fans' rowdy behaviour at stadium

Afghanistan assistant coach Raees Ahmadzai lashed out at his players and the fans for the ugly incidents on and off the pitch during the Pakistan vs Afghanistan encounter of the Super 4 stage of 2022 Asia Cup. After restricting Pakistan to 118/9, it looked like Afghanistan were running away with the game until Naseem Shah hit two sixes in the final over to win the game from nowhere for his team.

The intensity of the game was quite high and a few Afghanistan fans damaged the stadium property, breaking and uprooting the chairs and throwing them at fellow spectators to vent out their frustration. Apart from that, earlier in the game, Fareed Ahmed Malik and Asif Ali were involved in a heated exchange and it went over the line with Ali raising his bat to threaten Malik.  

Physical violence it's something every player should avoid: Raees Ahmadzai  

Ahmadzai mentioned that the Fareed Ahmed incident happened in the heat of the moment and added that the crowds should refrain themselves from involving in critical behaviours. He went on to note about physical violence to be avoided at any cost and concluded that he will certainly tell his players to behave within the limit.  

"I think the players are well aware of the rules and regulations of the game but sometimes in the heat of the moment, sometimes you cannot control and it comes out. The crowd should understand that this is just a game and sports should be treated as sports, not to be involved in anything critically or something,” Raees Ahmadzai was quoted by NDTVSports.com. 

“But again if you say something it's different, but physical violence it's something every player should avoid. Sledging or talking to someone is different but the rules and regulations do not allow you to do physical violence. Another experience for our players. We will inform our players to be within the limit and not cross it," added the assistant coach.