The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finds itself contemplating approaching the International Cricket Council (ICC) with concerns about the conduct of the crowd during the highly anticipated India-Pakistan 2023 ODI World Cup clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The Narendra Modi Stadium was packed to the rafters for the high-profile encounter, primarily attended by Indian fans due to visa restrictions on Pakistani fans. The overwhelming majority of Indian supporters made their presence felt early in the match, even before the first ball was bowled.
The crowd’s reaction during the toss set the tone for the match. Pakistani captain Babar Azam was greeted with heavy jeers, indicative of the intense rivalry between the two nations. As the game progressed, religious chants were consistently heard, further elevating the tension in the stadium.
The situation escalated when Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Pakistani opening batter Mohammad Rizwan in the first innings. The crowd reacted beyond celebration as Rizwan became the target of toxic remarks and trolling. This incident raised concerns not only among the PCB but also in the cricketing community.
According to a report by The Telegraph, the PCB is far from pleased with what its players were subjected to during the match. The matter is under investigation by higher authorities at the PCB, and a final decision will be made when PCB president Zaka Ashraf returns to Lahore on Monday. The board is contemplating taking the matter to the ICC, highlighting the need to maintain the spirit of the game and ensure that players are not exposed to hostile and harmful environments.
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Before the India-Pakistan clash, Pakistan had played warm-up games and league-stage matches in Hyderabad. They were met with a supportive crowd there, notching consecutive wins, including a record run-chase of 345 against Sri Lanka. The contrast in the atmosphere between Hyderabad and Ahmedabad is stark.
