The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has strongly reacted after a tense on-field moment involving Khushdil Shah during the third ODI against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui. The incident occurred after a group of Afghan-origin spectators allegedly hurled inappropriate and anti-Pakistan remarks, triggering a furious reaction from the cricketer.

Images and videos circulated online showed Khushdil Shah being restrained by security after charging toward a section of the crowd. The PCB later confirmed that Shah had intervened after hearing provocative chants and abusive language in Pashto.

“When anti-Pakistan slogans emerged, cricketer Khushdil Shah stepped in and urged the spectators to refrain. In response, the Afghan spectators escalated the situation,” the PCB said in an official statement.

Following the Pakistan team’s complaint, two Afghan-origin spectators were ejected from the ground.

Pakistan’s 43-run defeat in the third ODI not only resulted in a 0-3 series whitewash, but also marked the latest chapter in a string of spectator clashes involving Afghan fans. Past Pakistan vs Afghanistan encounters have often witnessed heated exchanges in the stands.

The PCB’s statement indirectly highlighted such precedents, including a controversial 2023 World Cup post-match comment by Afghan player Ibrahim Zadran, who used the stage to criticize Pakistan over deportation issues.

Meanwhile, the PCB also addressed concerns regarding Imam-ul-Haq, who retired hurt in the third over after being hit on the face by an accidental throw from a New Zealand fielder. A CT scan at Tauranga Hospital confirmed a mild concussion, but the opener was later declared fit to travel home with the squad.

Mumbai Indians have received a major boost as Jasprit Bumrah, their ace fast bowler, has rejoined the squad after completing his rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. His return comes just in time ahead of the high-voltage clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season.

Out since January due to a back injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney, Bumrah missed MI’s opening games this season — a period marked by the franchise’s disappointing performance, winning just one out of their first four matches.

Though it’s still uncertain whether Bumrah will be cleared to play against RCB on April 7, there is growing optimism around his return for MI’s April 17 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). His presence could be the turning point for a side desperate for stability in their bowling attack.

The speedster has been central to Mumbai Indians’ success since debuting in 2013, racking up 165 wickets in 133 matches. Regarded as one of the best pacers across all formats, Bumrah’s return has lifted the mood in the MI camp.

SRH all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is already looking forward to the challenge of facing Bumrah. “He’s one of the best bowlers in the world. Scoring against him would mean a lot. Facing players like him makes the game truly exciting,” Reddy said on Gen Bold, a JioHotstar show.

He also praised the golden generation of Indian cricket, saying, “This era has been shaped by legends like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah. They’ve set a high benchmark we all aspire to reach.”

Meanwhile, MI’s woes continue with the underwhelming form of ex-captain Rohit Sharma, adding pressure to turn their season around as quickly as possible.

By Mohammad Javed Rasheedi

The final ODI between New Zealand and Pakistan at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, wasn’t just about cricket—it had bouncers, boundaries, slogans and some unexpected off-the-field heat. It was not less than a drama straight out of a reality TV script. While fans came expecting wickets, they got a little ringside WWE entertainment as Khushdil Shah nearly turned Bay Oval into Bay Brawl. Later, he was dragged away by security after a heated clash with spectators.

It all started when a few spectators—believed to be Afghan nationals—decided to heckle the Pakistan players with some anti-Pakistan slogans and abusive language in Pashto.

Khushdil Shah, clearly not in the mood to let it slide, walked up to the boundary like “Excuse me, what did you say about my team?” And boom, things got heated faster than a PSL vs IPL Twitter debate.

Soon, security had to step in like, “Sir, this is a cricket match, not a cage fight.” One fan was even seen holding back the visibly agitated Khushdil, who may or may not have considered launching a cricket bat into the stands.

PCB condemnation

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) didn’t take the incident lightly. In a statement, the board condemned the abusive language and confirmed that players were subjected to offensive remarks from spectators.

“Foreign spectators hurled inappropriate remarks at cricketers on the field. When anti-Pakistan slogans emerged, Khushdil Shah intervened and urged restraint. In response, the crowd escalated the situation with more abuse in Pashto,” the PCB said in a statement.

Following a formal complaint by the team, stadium officials ejected the two disruptive spectators from the venue.

What happened in the actual match?

Oh yes, remember the cricket part?

Ben Sears delivered another lethal spell to help New Zealand whitewash Pakistan 3-0. The pacer took his second five-wicket haul in a row and became the first Kiwi ever to do so. Move over Shane Bond — there’s a new bad boy in town.

Pakistan, chasing 265 in a 42-over game, had a decent start before Imam-ul-Haq got hit in the jaw and had to retire hurt. After that, it was mostly Babar Azam vs. New Zealand. Spoiler: New Zealand won.

Babar fought valiantly with a classy fifty, but once Daryl Mitchell and Jacob Duffy got going, wickets started falling like dominos. In the end, Pakistan folded for 221, and New Zealand celebrated with a clean sweep and probably some sheep jokes.