Dark day for Pakistan cricket as Khushdil Shah gets into ugly fight with angry fans after humiliating series loss in New Zealand

Following Pakistan's loss to New Zealand, Khushdil Shah was involved in a heated altercation with spectators, marking another embarrassment.

Dark day for Pakistan cricket as Khushdil Shah gets into ugly fight with angry fans after humiliating series loss in New Zealand

Pakistani all-rounder Khushdil Shah engaged in a violent altercation with fans, following the series defeat to New Zealand. (via NDTV Sports)

In yet another ugly and humiliating moment for the Pakistan cricket, 30-year-old all-rounder Khushdil Shah engaged in a violent altercation with spectators, following the team’s defeat to New Zealand. The incident occurred at the end of the third ODI between the two sides, in Mount Maunganui. 

Mohammad Rizwan-led Pakistan was whitewashed 3-0 by New Zealand in a three-match ODI series in the island nation. It brings a considerable amount of shame upon the Men in Green, who have been criticized for their recent performances, including their early 2025 ICC Champions Trophy exit. They failed to defeat a depleted New Zealand side, and were also beaten 4-1 in the T20I series, prior to that.

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In the third and final ODI, the home side, posted a competitive total of 264 runs after the match was reduced to 42 over due to rain. Pakistan, having failed to chase in the first two games as well, faltered once again. They were bowled out for a score of 221, falling short by 43 runs. New Zealand pacer Ben Sears was the star of the NZ bowling attack, claiming five wickets in his nine-over spell.

However, the ugly post-match scenes dominated headlines, over Pakistan’s weak cricketing display. All-rounder Khushdil Shah, who was not a part of the playing XI for the final ODI, lost his cool at a section of fans and was seen charging aggressively towards them in the stands at the Bay Oval Stadium. It seemed that an enraged group of supporters were taunting the 30-year-old over the team’s humiliating defeat. 

A frustrated Khushdil Shah even tried to jump over the fence, towards the group of fans. However, members of the Pakistani support staff stepped in and took the player away before the scenes got uglier. Meanwhile, in a later video, two dejected spectators were seen being escorted out of the stadium by security personnel, while they kept screaming at the team and Shah.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement after the incident. It claimed that two spectators, reportedly of Afghan descent, used abusive language towards the players, while defending the 30-year-old all-rounder’s actions. It even stated that the two spectators were swearing at Khushdil Shah in Pushto, a language spoken by the Pakhtuni population in parts of both, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The incident, meanwhile, comes amid heightened rivalry between the two neighboring countries, after Afghanistan’s historic eight-wicket victory over Pakistan at the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. Nonetheless, following the disappointing series defeat to New Zealand, the Pakistani players are now gearing up for the upcoming edition of the PSL.

Ex-Pakistan star Basit Ali slams Mohammed Rizwan and Co., following humiliating loss to New Zealand

Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali unleashed fury at the Mohammad Rizwan-led national side, following a humiliating defeat to New Zealand in the final ODI of a three-match series. The Men in Green had an unforgettable tour, losing the T20I series, 4-1 and the ODI series, 3-0. 

Basit Ali on Pakistan 'Black Day'
Ex-Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali slammed the current side for its poor display against New Zealand, calling it a ‘Black Day’. (via Indian Today)

The team’s awful display prompted Basit Ali, who played for the Men in Green in the 1990s, to lash out at the current side. He questioned the team’s mentality and leadership, while describing it as a ‘Black Day’ in the history of Pakistan cricket. The 54-year-old even labeled the players as school cricketers, while recalling moments from the past when New Zealand batters feared Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram.

In my eyes, today was the black day in Pakistan cricket… When Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis used to bowl, the New Zealand batters couldn’t move their foot.

Basit Ali on the Pakistan national team (H/T Hindustan Times)

Moreover, the former Pakistani batter also criticized Imam-ul-Haq’s decision to leave the field in the final ODI after an injury, and called it an act of self-preservation. Imam had to be carried off the pitch in the 3rd over after being hit on his jaw by the ball, and was later replaced by Usman Khan.