Aakash Chopra apologizes to Afghanistan Board over a factual error

Cricket analyst and commentator Aakash Chopra, who is known for his knowledge of numbers and technicalities of the game had to face an unwanted situation after he committed a rare factual error in a tweet yesterday.

Aakash is a keen observer and regularly tweets about the game. However, his tweet about the bowling attacks of all the teams in the qualifiers turned out to be inaccurate.

The former India opener tweeted: “What does Oman, Hong Kong, UAE, Afghanistan and Pakistan have in common? All of them have Pakistani fast bowlers opening the innings”

What does Oman, Hong Kong, UAE, Afghanistan and Pakistan have in common? All of them have Pakistani fast bowlers opening the innings ????

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 22, 2016

However, the Afghanistan Cricket Board pointed out the error made by Aakash.

@cricketaakash It is not fair to give statement. All players playing for Afghanistan and pure Afghans.

— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 23, 2016

Aakash was quick acknowledge his mistake and apologised for the blunder. But, he had an explanation, though.

Stand corrected…unconditional apology. I was ref to the time some have spent in Pakistan during formative years! https://t.co/WtvDlFMPW5

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 23, 2016

The Afghan Cricket Board, however, stressed on the fact that they have a strong domestic structure and all their players are originally from Afghanistan.

@cricketaakash add to your knowledge @ACBofficials have strong domestic structure and all players produced in Afghanistan.

— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 23, 2016

@cricketaakash The peroformance @ACBofficials produced both in senior and junior are directly reflecting the system we (ACB) are running.

— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 23, 2016

Afghanistan were strong contenders to qualify for the Asia Cup 2016. However, they failed to make the cut after the shocking loss to UAE which proved very damaging to their prospect of playing the Asia Cup.

This meant that Afghanistan had to win all their remaining matches and hope that UAE lose at least one of their games against Oman or Hing Kong.

However, UAE continued its brilliancy and went on to win all the remainder of their matches to finish unbeaten in the qualifiers and successfully advancing to the main tournament. They will now join India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

UAE start their tough campaign against defending champions Sri Lanka.