AFG vs PAK: AB de Villiers Shuts Down Pakistani Journalist After He Complains About Shadab Khan's Run-Out
Published - 26 Aug 2023, 03:43 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 09:42 AM
South Africa legend AB de Villiers has had a very sarcastic reply to a Pakistani journalist over Shadab Khan’s controversial run-out during the second ODI between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistan, on Thursday (August 24), beat Afghanistan by 1 wicket in a thrilling game in Hambantota to take an unassailable lead in the three-match series. The match, however, ended in a controversial manner as Fazalhaq Farooqi ran Shadab Khan out at the non-striker’s end in the final over when Pakistan needed 11 runs from 6 balls.
Just before bowling the first ball of the over to Naseem Shah, Farooqi saw Shadab Khan leaving the crease early and decided to dislodge the bails. The Afghan pace spearhead did not break any rules in dismissing Shadab but the mode of dismissal is considered as against the spirit of the game by many. Usually, bowlers warn the batsmen when they leave the crease early before running them out.
Farooqi, however, decided to follow the rules and ran out Shadab Khan after he tried to gain an undue advantage at such a crucial stage of the game. Fortunately for Pakistan, the dismissal did not cost them the game as Naseem Shah hit Farooqi for two fours to seal a thrilling win for his side.
AB de Villiers’ response over Shadab Khan’s run-out:
While the second ODI is done and dusted, the Pakistani cricket fraternity is still busy moaning and complaining over Shadab Khan’s run out. And one journalist from Pakistan posted the commentator’s comments after the incident. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the user wrote:
“The commentator, probably HD Ackerman, said: ‘I don’t have a problem with Mankad, but why don’t teams do it in the 5th or 6th over of the innings? Why only towards the end of if? They just panic and they do it when they think it’s the only way to win the match’ Very valid point.”
AB de Villiers noticed the post on X and decided to respond to it. As usual, the former South Africa skipper had a brilliant response as he wrote: “Cause batters only try to steal runs towards the back end of an innings.”
Cause batters only try to steal runs towards the back end of an innings
Meanwhile, Pakistan will be looking to win the third ODI against Afghanistan on Saturday (August 26) and complete a whitewash. A win in the third match will also see Pakistan reclaim the number-one spot in the ICC Rankings.
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AB de Villiers AFG vs PAK 2023 Afghanistan National Cricket Team Pakistan National Cricket Team Shadab Khan
