Dubai 28 August : Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman left the field on Sunday after he snagged the ball from the wicketkeeper, despite any major appeal by the Indian team during an intense Asia Cup 2022 clash here receiving praise from followers via social media.Pakistan were brought in for the first bat by Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who gave India the first breakthrough with the wicket of Babar Azam.
The Babar Azam-led Pakistan struggled to score huge in the initial six overs, when Avesh Khan came in to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.
Mohammad Rizwan, who was on nine balls off 17 at the time, slowed the pacer for six and four off successive deliveries but the momentum changed in the next over when Zaman played one over the wicketkeeper off the last ball.
Although there was objection by the Indians, Zaman started walking off and the umpire was prompted to raise his finger.He was dismissed for 10 of 6 deliveries.
After the incident, a lot of fans were on Twitter and praised the gesture of Fakhar.
“Class action performed by Fakhar Zaman.Don’t look for Pakistanis walking around when they know they’re not allowed to walk and the umpire isn’t aware of it.#INDvPAK” wrote one user.
“Many players would have stood there and pretend that they didn’t have a chance to edge it, hoping that opponents wouldn’t make an appealbut that was great sportmanship by Fakhar Zaman.”INDVsPAK @AsiaCup2022,” tweeted another.
A fan reminded the crowd of cricket as a gentleman’s sport.
“Fakhar Zaman, we salute you for walking in front of the umpire before he raises his finger.
Cricket is a gentleman’s sport after all#INDvsPAK” wrote the user.
Following Babar’s early dismissal Fakhar could be a threat to Indian bowlers together with Mohammad Rizwan.
The left-hander played an important game against India in the Champions Trophy final in 2017 in which Pakistan defeated by 180 runs.
avn/bsk
