Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand took an intense turn after the team suffered a 43-run defeat in the third ODI at Mount Maunganui, completing a 3-0 series loss. The defeat wasn’t the only thing that stirred emotions, as all-rounder Khushdil Shah was involved in a heated exchange with fans who were mocking Pakistan after the match.
Khushdil Shah Confronts Crowd After Pakistan’s 3-0 Loss to New Zealand – Tensions Rise Post-Defeat
After the final whistle, while the Pakistan team was heading off the field, some spectators targeted the players with taunts and insults. As other players walked away, Khushdil, clearly upset, turned to confront the crowd. Eyewitnesses reported that he had words with the fans, unable to contain his anger. His reaction caught the attention of everyone around, and security had to step in to prevent things from escalating further. His teammates also rushed over to try and calm him down.
This outburst comes after a tough series for Pakistan, where they not only lost the ODI series 3-0 but also were defeated 4-1 in the T20I series. Despite the tough loss, it seems the frustration of the team spilled over when faced with mocking comments from the crowd.
This isn’t the first time Khushdil has found himself in the middle of controversy on this tour. During the T20I series, he was fined 50% of his match fee and given three demerit points after an incident where he collided with New Zealand bowler Zac Foulkes during a run.
While some supporters defended Khushdil, saying that emotions run high after a tough loss, others felt that it was unprofessional to react to the crowd in that manner. With the series loss weighing heavily on Pakistan’s performance, this incident only added more fuel to the ongoing debate about the team’s behavior and discipline.