The second ODI between Pakistan and Afghanistan was a stark contrast to the opening match of the series:
The Green Shirts won the second ODI of the three-match series between Afghanistan and Pakistan after a thrilling encounter in Hambantota on Thursday. Naseem Shah's brilliant batting in the last over reminded everyone of last year's Asia Cup. However, it seems like the players' emotions were running high.
During the tradition of shaking hands after the match, Pakistani left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi avoided shaking hands with the Afghan players. Shaheen went back to the dugout but captain Babar Azam kindly called him back and encouraged him to join the shakers. This gesture actually reflected Babur's efforts to ensure harmony regardless of conflict.
Nevertheless, the tension did not end with the handshake incident, as another incident occurred when Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah approached Babar in apparent anger. Naseem complained to Babur for unknown reasons. Not long after, the captain himself walked up to Afghanistan's star all-rounder Mohammad Nabi and confronted him.
While the details of Naseem's complaint and the exchange between Babar and Nabi are still unknown, it is being speculated that some of the controversial decisions, including the controversial run-out of Shadab Khan, which took place at the end of the match, were Naseem's fault. There may be reasons for this anger. The second ODI between Pakistan and Afghanistan was a stark contrast to the opening match of the series. Right-handed batsman Rehmanullah Garbaz emerged as the standout performer for Afghanistan as he played a brilliant innings of 151 runs. The series will conclude with the final ODI scheduled in Colombo on Saturday. After that, both the teams will participate in the Asia Cup starting from August 30.
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