Five Biggest Controversies In Asia Cup History | Watch
THE EXCITEMENT for the Asia Cup is slowly reaching its peak as the tournament is less than three weeks away. The 2023 edition of the mega event will start on August 30, with Pakistan taking on Nepal in Multan. The tournament will also present cricket fans with the mouth-watering India vs Pakistan clash, not once but twice or possibly thrice.
The arch-rivals will first clash on September 2 in Pallekele before locking horns on September 10 in Super 4s. The Super 4s clash will depend on the teams’ qualification for the next round. The possibility of the teams clashing in the final can also not be denied. As the buzz around the tournament gains momentum, let’s look at the top five controversies in previous editions.
Gautam Gambhir vs Kamran Akmal
During the 2010 edition of the Asia Cup, Gautam Gambhir and Kamran Akmal got involved in a heated exchange. Gambhir was miffed with Kamran Akmal’s continuous appeals and exchanged a few words. The umpires had to step in to separate the players.
India was chasing a total of 268. Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni added 98 runs for the third wicket before both players departed in quick succession. India needed 58 runs in 44 balls and looked in a spot of bother, but Suresh Raina (34 off 27) and Harbhajan Singh (15 off 11) did not bow down to pressure and took India home.
Viral Post Creates Huge Uproar
Ahead of the Asia Cup final between India and Bangladesh in 2016, a post on social media that had morphed image of fast bowler Taskin Ahmed holding MS Dhoni’s head created a huge uproar. India coach Ravi Shastri reacted to the post and surrounding outrage, saying that the team does not pay attention to the news.
“It’s not our job to look at newspapers, our job is to play cricket. It’s your job to find out what stories are getting published in the dailies. When we play cricket, we do not concentrate on newspaper articles. So you all can make your own assessments by reading those stories.”
Mohammad Sami’s 17-Ball Over
The Asia Cup 2004 saw a bizarre event as Pakistan pacer Mohammad Sami bowled a 17-ball over. Sami started with a maiden but followed it up with the worst over of his career. Sami leaked 22 runs in the over that had seven wides and four no-balls.
Asif Ali vs Fareed Malik
Afghanistan vs Pakistan match during the 2022 Asia Cup was heading towards a tense finish. Asif Ali was threatening to take the game away from Pakistan before Fareed Malik put an end to his innings in the penultimate over. Pakistan needed 19 runs in 9 balls and Asif Ali hit a six to bring Pakistan to the brink of a win.
However, Malik got his revenge on the next ball. Post the dismissal, a jubilant Fareed exchanged a few words with Asif Ali who threatened to hit the pacer with the bat. Pakistan needed 11 runs in the last over with one wicket remaining and they found an unlikely hero in Naseem Shah who hit two sixes in the first two balls to take Pakistan home. Later, the fans of both teams also exchanged blows in the stands.
Harbhajan Singh vs Shoaib Akhtar
India and Pakistan faced in the Asia Cup 2010. Chasing a target of 268, MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir scored fifties but the wickets of the set batters brought Pakistan back into the game. Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh took India close to a win, with India needing seven runs in the last over.
Shoaib Akhtar bowled the 49th over and tested Harbhajan with a couple of bouncers. The pacer also said a few words to Singh who hit back at Shoaib in his own style. In the final over, Harbhajan hit a six to take India to a win and celebrated in style, teasing Akhtar.
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