Security intervenes as Khushdil Shah fight fans at Bay Oval: WATCH VIDEO

As if a 3-0 whitewash in the ODI series wasn’t enough, controversy has further marred Pakistan tour of New Zealand. The visitors ended the tour with a heavy 43-run defeat at Mount Maunganui, wrapping up a forgettable campaign with just one win in eight matches. That lone victory came in the third T20I of a tour comprising eight T20Is and three ODIs. However, apart from that solitary success, Pakistan failed to put up much of a fight, as New Zealand sealed a dominant 3-0 sweep in the ODI leg. During the third ODI, the Mount Maunganui venue was briefly plunged into darkness due to a lighting issue. But the real talking point of the match came when Khushdil Shah, seated on the Pakistan bench, suddenly charged toward a fan in the stands. The Khushdil Shah fight has since gone viral, emerging as one of the most talked-about moments of Pakistan’s troubled tour of New Zealand.

Pakistan all-rounder Khushdil Shah found himself at the center of an ugly post-match incident after the Mohammad Rizwan-led side succumbed to a defeat in the final ODI against New Zealand at Bay Oval on Saturday. Emotions ran high as Khushdil, seemingly provoked by taunts from a section of fans, lost his temper and stormed toward the crowd. The exact trigger behind the aggressive outburst remains unclear, but it’s believed that repeated jibes about Pakistan’s disappointing tour, where they suffered a 1-4 defeat in the T20Is and a 0-3 whitewash in the ODI series, may have led to the confrontation.

Khushdil Shah and other Pakistan cricketers were abused by two Aghan men after the third ODI against New Zealand. These are ugly scenes; these fans should be banned for life 🇵🇰🇦🇫🙏🏽 #NZvPAKpic.twitter.com/mw7erhZ6yf

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) April 5, 2025

The 30-year-old was quickly restrained by members of the team’s support staff, who intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further. Following the incident, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement clarifying that certain foreign spectators had directed abusive remarks at the players. The board added that Khushdil reacted after hearing chants that were deemed offensive and anti-Pakistan in nature.

"The Pakistan cricket team management has strongly condemned the abusive language directed at national players by foreign spectators. During the match today, foreign spectators hurled inappropriate remarks at cricketers present on the field," the PCB said.

The statement by the Pakistan Cricket Board further elaborated on the details of the controversy. The PCB statement specified a section of Afghan spectators who hurled anti-national slogans at the Pakistan players in the dugout. Speaking in Pashto, the spectator eventually got on the nerves of the all-rounder, who then took matters in his own hands.

"When anti-Pakistan slogans emerged, cricketer Khushdil Shah stepped in and urged the spectators to refrain. In response, Afghan spectators escalated the situation by using further inappropriate language in Pashto. Following the Pakistani team's complaint, stadium officials intervened and ejected the two disruptive spectators," the statement added.

An altercation between Khushdil Shah and spectators during the third ODI between New Zealand and Pakistan in Mount Maunganui led to the ejection of two spectators from the venue pic.twitter.com/yEbr6EygeN

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 5, 2025

Pakistan cricket is not exactly going through an ideal phase. The defending champions of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy were the first to bow out of the tournament, despite being the hosts. Their dismal run continued in New Zealand, suffering heavy defeats match after match. The focus, however, is now set to shift to the PSL, which is slated to begin on April 11.