KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi on Thursday played down allegations that the national team’s star paceman Hasan Ali overstepped the mark during an appearance at the border where he squared off with Indian soldiers.

The viral video of the 24-year-old paceman at the main border crossing at Wagah over the weekend sent shockwaves through social media in the subcontinent.

During the incident Hasan puffed out his chest mimicking gestures made by Pakistani border guards and also slapped his thigh while staring down Indian security forces, a gesture he often does on the pitch after taking a wicket.

The performance was largely cheered by Pakistani cricket fans but drew protests from Indian users who slammed the display as jingoistic.

“No bro, just no. Use your platform to do something constructive, not spread hate!” one Indian fan tweeted.

However Sethi played down Hasan’s antics, dismissing attempts to politicise the incident.

“Our national cricket teams always go to the Wagah Border for the flag lowering ceremony,” Sethi told reporters.

“It’s unfortunate that social media has given it a political colour, what he did he usually does after taking a wicket.”

Hasan became the top ranked One-day International bowler in global rankings last year following his 13 wickets in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy triumph in England.

He has so far played two Tests, 20 One-day International and 16 Twenty20s.

During the same ceremony at the border, senior batsman Azhar Ali offered more conciliatory gestures, saying he hoped for eventual peace between the arch-rivals — who have not played a bilateral series since January 2013.

“Peace is the way forward,” tweeted the batsman along with a picture, where he posed with Indian and Pakistan forces at Wagah.

India-Pakistan ties, including sports and cultural contacts, plummeted after the 2008 militant attacks in Mumbai, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistani militant groups.

Delhi has suspended most bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan since 2008, with high-profile cricket tours bearing the brunt of the moratorium.

They have, however, continued to play each other in multinational events like the World Cup in which they will meet again next year in England.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...