LAHORE, Pakistan, 16 October (H.S.): Pakistan’s commanding 93-run Test victory over South Africa on wednesday was quickly overshadowed by on-air commentary that reignited a contentious dispute with India over sportsmanship. While the Pakistani team celebrated ending the Proteas’ 10-match winning streak, commentators Ramiz Raja and Aamer Sohail used the post-match courtesies to level thinly veiled criticism at the Indian cricket team.
The exchange of handshakes and high fives between the Pakistani and South African players prompted Sohail to remark, Good to see both teams shaking hands. It’s getting out of fashion these days. Raja concurred, stating, It’s getting out of hand, and stressed the importance of cricket remaining a gentlemanly and fair sport.
These comments were a direct reference to last month’s Asia Cup, where Indian players notably declined to shake hands with their Pakistani rivals on three separate occasions during the tournament. The incidents sparked considerable debate, which persisted even after India clinched the title.
On the field in Lahore, Pakistan delivered a dominant performance to bowl the reigning world champions out for 183 in their second innings. The bowling attack was spearheaded by Shaheen Afridi, who took 4/33, while left-arm spinner Noman Ali secured figures of 4/79. This followed Noman Ali’s first-innings haul of 6/112, which matched the impressive 6/117 taken by South Africa’s Senuran Muthuswamy.
Pakistan’s first-innings total of 378 was anchored by strong batting performances, although both Salman Agha and Imam Ul Haq were dismissed for 93, narrowly missing their centuries. Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan also contributed with crucial half-centuries.
Despite a faltering second innings where Pakistan posted only 167, their bowlers ensured the target was well beyond South Africa’s reach. For the Proteas, a maiden Test century from Tony de Zorzi and a half-century from Ryan Rickleton were the highlights of their first innings total of 269.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
