WEBDESK: Pakistan’s all-rounder Khushdil Shah made headlines after a physical altercation with fans following Pakistan’s 43-run defeat to New Zealand in the third ODI on April 5, 2025. The loss sealed a 3-0 clean sweep for New Zealand in the series, adding more pressure on the already struggling Pakistani side.
Pakistan was set a target of 265 runs in a 42-over contest. Babar Azam (50 off 58 balls), was the top batter for Pakistan as the Greenshirts were bowled out for 221 in 40 overs. New Zealand’s Ben Sears took 5 wickets for 34 runs in 9 overs, playing a key role in the defeat.
According to reports, Khushdil Shah reacted to taunts from fans and attempted to confront them before security officials stepped in to calm the situation. A video of the incident quickly circulated on social media, sparking mixed reactions from the public.
“The Pakistan cricket team management strongly condemns the abusive language directed at national players by foreign spectators. During today’s match, inappropriate remarks were made toward cricketers on the field,” the PCB stated.
“When anti-Pakistan slogans were shouted, Khushdil Shah attempted to intervene and urged the spectators to stop. However, some Afghan fans escalated the situation by using further inappropriate language in Pashto. Following a complaint from the Pakistani team, stadium officials intervened and removed the two disruptive individuals from the venue,” the statement further added.
This is not the first time Khushdil Shah has been in the spotlight during the New Zealand series. Earlier, in the first T20I on March 16, he was fined 50% of his match fee for making inappropriate physical contact with New Zealand bowler Zakary Foulkes. The International Cricket Council (ICC) handed him three demerit points for violating the Code of Conduct. Khushdil Shah accepted the penalty without contest, marking his first offense in the past two years.
These incidents reflect the growing frustration among players like Khushdil Shah, especially as the team continues to face criticism for under-performance. Fans and analysts alike are calling for better discipline and consistency from the team.
Read more: New Zealand vs Pakistan: NZ beat PAK to win series 3-0
