Asif Ali should be banned from the rest of the Asia Cup: Former ACB CEO Shafiq Stanikzai

Pakistan cricket team booked their place in the final of the 2022 Asia Cup after overcoming a defiant Afghanistan in a thrilling encounter at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. But the match had its fair share of controversy when Pakistan's Asif Ali and Afghanistan's Fareed Ahmad were separated by others on the pitch. Former chief executive of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), Shafiq Stanikzai, lashed out at Pakistan batter Asif Ali for his actions.

The duo were involved in a fired-up exchange after Asif Ali was dismissed in the penultimate over of the match by the Afghan bowler. Although the incident has divided fans on social media, Shafiq Stanikzai reckons that the batter should be banned for the rest of the tournament after his reckless behavior, terming it as stupid.

The Former chief executive of the ACB took to Twitter and wrote, “This is stupidity at the extreme level by Asif Ali and should be banned from the rest of the tournament, any bowler has the right to celebrate but being physical is not acceptable at all.”

This is stupidity at extreme level by Asif Ali and should be ban from the rest of the tournament, any bowler has the right to celebrate but being physical is not acceptable at all https://t.co/ebnqSaRRmD

— Shafiq Stanikzai (@ShafiqStanikzai) September 7, 2022

'Afghan players put right back into their place by 19 year old kid Naseem Shah' : Shoaib Akhtar

Notably, former Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar had targeted the Afgan players in his tweet and said that the Afghanistan cricket team lost the match due to their ‘arrogant’ behavior. He praised the heroics of young pacer Naseem Shah, throwing shade at the opposition.

“Afghan players put right back into their place by 19 year old kid Naseem Shah. Unforgettable match against people we have loved & supported always. Lekin bat tamizi aur arrogance nay un no foran neecha dikhaya,” Shoaib wrote in his tweet.

Afghan players put right back into their place by 19 year old kid Naseem Shah. Unforgettable match against people we have loved & supported always.
Lekin bat tamizi aur arrogance nay un no foran neecha dikhaya.

Full video: https://t.co/u3LsS2GfrD pic.twitter.com/X6Obdq35bj

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) September 7, 2022

Pakistan found a new hero in the form of fast bowling sensation Naseem Shah as the youngster smashed two sixes off consecutive deliveries in the final over to pull off an incredible heist. Pakistan's win eliminated Afghanistan and India from the continental tournament. The Men in Green will now square up against five-time champions Sri Lanka in the final on Sunday, September 11, in Dubai.