Fans Left Fuming Following Nasser Hussain's On-field Presence in an International Game

The World XI and Windies game, held on Thursday (May 31) at Lord’s, had quite a few memorable moments. Be it the Guard of Honour for veteran all-rounder Shahid Afridi, or the entertaining knocks from Thisara Perera and Evin Lewis.

However, the most debated talking point was the presence of Sky Sports broadcaster Nasser Hussain on the field during play.

The move did not go down well with the fans as the exhibition game was deemed with the International status by the world cricket governing body ICC.

As a result, fans lashed out at the governing body for a 12th man present in the field at the crucial slip region, with a mic, doing commentary.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Commantror in the Field ??@ICC please explain is it International match or List A Game ???? @nassercricket #WIvsWorldXI #WorldXI pic.twitter.com/zIPrSK3pww

— Ejaz Wasim Bakhri (@ejazwasim) May 31, 2018

Nasser Hussain as Reporter on the field in an International Game… This isn't allowed anyway #CricketRelief pic.twitter.com/vwfbwdqVDp

— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) May 31, 2018

Nasser Hussain, on commentary, at first slip for the opening over. This is why these games – wonderful as they are – should never have international status. #WIvRoW pic.twitter.com/T3caRzOEEA

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) May 31, 2018

This is a full international, but apparently the West Indies playing the Netherlands in the World Cup Qualifiers was not https://t.co/ATSoJ8832N

— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) May 31, 2018

Good morning.Just turned on Facebook Live. Please tell me that's a hologram of Nasser Hussain pretending to be on the field of play and not the real thing.

— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) May 31, 2018

This is an official T20 international and a reporter (Nasser Hussain) is standing in a deepish first slip position.
Charity match, to be played only semi-seriously

— John Etheridge (@JohnSunCricket) May 31, 2018

Really enjoyed the #WIvWorldXI game and kudos to @SkyCricket for making their feed available for free…but i hope to your deity of choice that we never see that Nasser Hussain experiment montrosity on a cricket ground again! #shudder

— The Opening Statsman (@OpeningStatsman) June 1, 2018

@SkyCricket #WIvRestoftheWorld
Nasser Hussain wandering round the field not quite knowing what he is doing.
Nothing new there then!
Seriously is this the way forward for our “glorious summer game “?

— Uncle Mort (@UncleMort2011) May 31, 2018

Despite all the hue and cry regarding the involvement of Hussain on the field, the exhibition match turned out to be a success.

World Twenty20 International champions Windies defeated the World XI side convincingly by 72 runs.

Windies posted a mammoth 199 on the back of a lighting 58 off 26 balls knock from Evin Lewis.

Later on, Marlon Samuels and Dinesh Ramdin provided the finishing blows with their respective 40-plus scores.

Also Read: Watch: Shahid Afridi Mocks Rashid Khan After Latter Drops a Catch.

Barring Sri Lankan international, Thisara Perera, who scored an impressive 61 off 37 balls, none of the World XI batters could go deep into the match.

Samuel Badree was the pick of the bowlers who conceded only four runs in his three-over spell and also claimed a couple of wickets.

Also Read: IPL 2018: Five Players Who Can Replace AB de Villiers if he Doesn’t Play for RCB.

Afridi donated USD 20,000 to hurricane relief from his foundation, while all the players donated their match fees to the charity.

The Peshawar-based professional Afridi was also interviewed by Nasser Hussain.