Pakistan fans will not boo Steve Smith like Indians, feels Sarfaraz Ahmed

India captain Virat Kohli earned accolades for coming to the rescue of Australian cricketer Steve Smith during the India-Australia game at The Oval on Sunday. He expressed his disappointment towards the Indian fans who booed Smith over the Sandpapergate scandal of 2018 and asked them to cheer him instead. He also apologized to Smith on behalf of the Indian fans and said later in a press conference that he did not want the Indian fans to set up a bad example by taunting a player who has already undergone the hardships.

On Tuesday, Kohli’s Pakistan counterpart Sarfaraz Ahmed was reminded of the incident at the press conference on the eve of Pakistan’s crucial game against Australia in Taunton. A reporter asked Sarfaraz whether he would also do the same if Pakistani supporters were seen targeting Smith and David Warner, who was also involved in the scandal. To that, the wicketkeeper-batsman said he didn’t think the Pakistani supporters were doing something like that.

Pakistani people aren’t doing such things, says skipper Sarfaraz

“I don’t think Pakistani people doing like that. Pakistani people love cricket, they love to support and they love players,” the 32-year-old was heard saying. Smith was being targeted as “cheater” by the crowd at The Oval and this is something the duo has been facing ever since they have set their foot in England. Smith was booed by the local fans even after he hit a hundred in the warm-up match against England ahead of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, the Australia game will be crucial for Pakistan who last played a game in this World Cup on June 3 when they defeated England by 14 runs. Their game versus Sri Lanka in Bristol was washed out on Friday and with three points in as many games, Sarfaraz’s side will be eyeing more points.

Pakistan lost to the West Indies by 7 wickets in their opening game on May 31. Sarfaraz also said on the occasion that the 0-5 loss that his team had suffered at home in March (he hadn’t played that series) is a thing of the past now and the team is looking forward to the high-voltage clash with Australia. Pakistan will meet India at Old Trafford on June 16.

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