Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan urged fans to avoid a repeat of the ugly scenes that marred Pakistan and Afghanistan’s clash in Sharjah in 2022, saying that cricket brought “people and nations together.” Sharjah will host the opening game of the tri-series between the two sides.
Appeal to fans
The tri-series starts today in Sharjah with the opening match between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Ahead of the game, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan appealed to fans to remain calm and not indulge in incidents that could overshadow the contest.
2022 ugly fight between fans
He emphasized that cricket is meant to unite people and nations, and should be respected as such. In 2022, when Pakistan won by one wicket in the final over, violent clashes broke out between Afghanistan and Pakistan supporters. The Pakistan Cricket Board later lodged a complaint with the ICC, describing the scenes as “hooliganism.” Following the incident, several Afghan fans were detained by Sharjah police, though no formal arrests were made.
Clash during bilateral series in 2023
This was not the only time clashes occurred. Supporters from both teams also clashed during their bilateral series in 2023. With large diaspora communities from both nations living in Sharjah, matches between Afghanistan and Pakistan have traditionally drawn packed crowds in the UAE.
Ahead of tonight’s game, Rashid shared a message for fans of both teams:
“Cricket brings unity — it connects people and nations, and carries a message of peace. This sport is about enjoyment, both for us as players and for the fans in the stands. I encourage everyone to come, support their teams, and relish every moment. At the end of the day, it’s just a game of cricket.”
Speaking about the competition, Rashid noted that in a short tri-series no team can be labelled as the best or favourite, as every game is unpredictable and each side strives to give its best.
Match Schedule
Date |
Fixture |
29 August |
Afghanistan vs Pakistan |
30 August |
UAE vs Pakistan |
1 September |
UAE vs Afghanistan |
2 September |
Pakistan vs Afghanistan |
4 September |
Pakistan vs UAE |
5 September |
Afghanistan vs UAE |
7 September |
Final (top two teams) |