'Setting high standards' - Fakhar Zaman walks off after edging to wicketkeeper without Indian players appealing for dismissal

Rohit Sharma’s decision to bowl first in the titanic clash against Pakistan paid dividends for the Indian team as the bowlers got rid of the in-form Pakistani skipper Babar Azam cheaply to hand India the upper hand in the early proceedings. And just as Pakistan were starting to build a head of steam, Fakhar Zaman nicked the ball to Dinesh Karthik and walked off without an appeal from the Indians, bewildering the jam-packed crowd.

Babar Azam’s early dismissal rocked the Men in Green, But just as Mohammad Rizwan was upping the ante against Avesh Khan, they suffered another blow as the dangerous Fakhar Zaman walked off without an appeal from either the bowler, Avesh Khan, or wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik.

The incident took place in the sixth over of the match, when Fakhar tried to cut a rising delivery from Avesh Khan, getting a faint tickle through to the keeper. The Indian players didn’t have a clue and the Indian pacer was seen gesturing to Rohit Sharma that he did not hear anything due to the noise at the stadium. Karthik shared the same sentiments and did not hear a thing from behind the wicket. However, Fakhar walked off and only then, the umpire also raised his finger.

Here’s the video:

#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/JvLET4g6eN

— Sanju Here 🤞👻 (@me_sanjureddy) August 28, 2022

Social media is abuzz after Fakhar Zaman’s decision

Notably, the Indian team had already burned one of their reviews earlier in the innings, and the Pakistani batter’s decision to walk without any serious appeal from the opposition has divided social media. India kept the scoring rate under check through the innings, and it will be interesting to see how the relatively inexperienced Indian pace attack performs against the dangerous Pakistani low-order batting unit, who are renowned for their lusty blows in the latter stages of the match. Meanwhile, Twitter was also surprised to see Fakhar Zaman walk off, and the fans lauded him for his honesty.

Sportsman Spirit by Fakhar Zaman

May be wont appreciated 😒

Pakistan lost a big one
42/2

— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) August 28, 2022

🫡🫡 Fakhar Zaman has set a high level standards of sportsman spirit by walking over to pavillion despite no appeal from India. You can hardly expect such sort of sportsman spirit in India and Pakistan encounter. #INDvPAK

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) August 28, 2022

Fakhar Zaman you have my respect. ❤️

— Aditya (@Adityakrsaha) August 28, 2022

Respect for #Fakhar Zaman
.
Umpire gave Not out
India not appealed for Review
.
But #Zaman walking off
👌🏼👌🏼❤️

— வம்பு 2.0 (@writter_vambu) August 28, 2022

FAKHAR ZAMAN WHAT THE F DID YOU JUST DO

— Javs🐣 (@javeria_16) August 28, 2022

Many batters would have just stood there and pretended they didn't edge it and hope that the opposition don't appeal – but that was fantastic sportsmanship from Fakhar Zaman #INDvsPAK #AsiaCup2022

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) August 28, 2022

Quite courageous of Fakhar Zaman to walk after edging it in a game as crucial as #IndvPak. His batting partner Rizwan wasn't too happy though, because neither the bowler nor the keeper picked the edge, and Avesh's appeal was an afterthought.

— Nikhil Naz (@NikhilNaz) August 28, 2022