WATCH: Fareed Ahmad vs Asif Ali Altercation

It has been one hell of a 2022 Asia Cup T20 so far. Six out of the first ten games of the tournament have gone down to the final over for a result and it wasn’t any different today as we had a Pakistan vs Afghanistan encounter in the Super Fours stage, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. And while it was a swingy contest, Pakistan ended victorious, booking a spot in the Asia Cup 2022 final.

They started the tournament poorly with a loss against India but after that, they won their next couple of games and also beat India in the Super Fours stage. And today, they won with two consecutive sixes in the final over, registering a 1-wicket victory. And while there were plenty of ebbs and flows, one particular incident caught everyone’s interest at the end.

WATCH: Fareed Ahmad vs Asif Ali Altercation — Credits: Asian Cricket Council

Fareed Ahmad vs Asif Ali fight

In the final couple of overs, Pakistan needed 21 runs to win and Fareed Ahmad was the bowler who had the responsibility to bowl the penultimate over. After being hit for a six already in the over, the bowler was under a lot of pressure but he managed to deliver with the crucial wicket of Asif Ali later in that over itself.

And while the crowd was going bonkers, both the teams were also pumped up and emotions were at an all-time high. While Ahmad was pumped up with his celebration, he said a few words to Asif Ali which weren’t received very well. Ali quickly turned around to the bowler and lifted the bat as if as a threat to hit him with it.

We understand that the emotions were really high at the end but players from both sides need to realise that this is a gentleman’s game and doing such things won’t help anyone. They’re both representing their respective countries and as ambassadors, a little bit of more responsible behaviour was expected.

And what’s interesting is that players from both teams were being super friendly with each other right through the game. Rahmanullah Gurbaz in particular was being chatty and hugging almost every Pakistan batsman that came out to bat today. Afghani players also play a lot of cricket in PSL and they know each other pretty well too. See the Fareed Ahmad vs Asif Ali fight video here:

Ban Asif ali for this. #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/GQ9UoTbpvy
— Gems of E-lafda (@GemsofELafda) September 7, 2022

The drama intensified in the final over when Pakistan needed 11 runs to win and number #11 Naseem Shah decided to make short work of the chase. He was bowled two juicy full tosses and he smashed both over long-off for consecutive sixes, winning by 1 wicket and four balls to spare. Pakistan also moved straight into the final of the 2022 Asia Cup! Here’s what happened in the stands later at Sharjah: