It won’t be inappropriate to claim that the Asia Cup 2022 has exceeded expectations. The matches have been much closer than expected, the emotions have been heightened and just when one thought things can’t get more intense- an ugly fight has transpired between Pakistani batsman Asif Ali and Afghanistan’s Fareed Ahmed.
Pakistan won the toss against AFG in their second Super 4 game of the 2022 Asia Cup and restricted them to a sub-par total of 129. Everyone thought they’d chase it without much trouble.
However, the Men in Green’s batting almost made a meal out of it and the game went right down the wire.
Fareed Ahmed and Asif Ali get into each other’s faces
The incident occurred in the 19th over during Pakistan’s chase. They needed 21 off two overs.
Pakistan were already 8 wickets down. Their hopes rested on the only recognised batter (Asif Ali) at the crease while on the other hand, left-armer Fareed Ahmed was assigned the duties to continue Afghanistan’s fight.
Fareed kept the batsmen silent for the first 3 balls before Asif smashed a slot ball for a huge six off the 4th ball of the over.
However, Asif Ali was dismissed off the next ball (a slower bouncer) from Fareed.
The dismissal was crucial in the context of the game and resulted in a pumped up Fareed Ahmed to run and celebrate into the face of Asif Ali to ignite a fight.
— Cricket fan (@Cricketfan093) September 7, 2022
The bowler signalled him to go to the dressing room after which a triggered Asif pushed him back before almost hitting him with the bat.
Other Afghans surrounded Ali before the Pakistani batter eventually left the ground.
Following the heated incident, Pakistan needed eleven off the last over and had only one wicket in hand. The game was in the hands of Nabi and co.
But outta nowhere, 19-year-old Naseem Shah smacked back-to-back sixes off the first two balls of the last over to help Pakistan get over the line.
Naseem –furious from the fight that transpired between Asif Ali and Fareed Ahmed– had an aggressive celebration of his own after he hit the second six and sealed Pakistan a berth for the 2022 Asia Cup finale.
Due to the discussed fight, Asif Ali is expected to suffer a 1-match ban for intentionally pushing and threatening Fareed Ahmed.