33-year-old batter aggressively responds to spectator during Pakistan, New Zealand’s 2nd T20I match
Pakistan’s middle-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed had a displeasing encounter with a fan who called him “chachu” — the term is commonly used in South Asian countries for uncle — during the second T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand.
The latest video surprised many even the fan who received an aggressive response from the right-handed batter during the second short-format match at Seddon Park, Hamilton on Sunday.
The fan tried to make him calm by saying: “We are your fans” to which Iftikhar replied, “Stay quiet”. He was fielding during the first innings when he had an unwanted experience with a fan.
Speaking to Geo News, the 33-year-old batter had expressed his views on listening to “chachu” chants from spectators, saying that he felt bad for the first time but he then enjoyed being called by the nickname.
The national cricketers of Pakistan have a very interesting thing about them, which is almost all of them have a nickname. Not only do the cricketers call each other by these names but they are commonly known by cricket fans as well.
Iftikhar had initially got the name for his looks as he looks older than his age. However, the fans now chant this name whenever the cricketer steps on the field or hits a boundary, to cheer him up.
He added that being called “chachu” wasn’t something bad or abusive so he enjoyed it. “This crowd supports me and believe me, wherever I go, I get a lot of love,” the cricketer said.
However, the thing has supposedly changed as seen in the fresh video or it could be just the heat of the moment during a tense situation during the match.
New Zealand inched closer to winning the series after defeating Pakistan in the second T20I match by 21 runs
The visitors struggled in the chase of the 195-run target from the start as they lost both of their openers, Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub, within the first overs for just 10 runs.
After two early departures, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman brought the Green Shirts back in the game by forming a formidable 87-run partnership which saw the latter completing a well-deserved half-century in 24 balls with the help of five sixes and three fours.
Iftikhar Ahmed (4 off 8), Azam Khan (2 off 3), and Aamer Jamal (9 off 8) failed to stay and help their side put up a fight.
Pakistani bowlers made an excellent comeback in the match and managed to restrict the in-form Kiwis to 194 runs, a total they can chase down.
Haris Rauf took three wickets in the 19th over and became Pakistan’s top wicket-taker of the match. All of the visitors’ bowlers, except skipper Shaheen Afridi, picked up wickets.