Asia Cup 2022: Bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan has been suspended for a long time amid political tensions. Both the teams face each other only in ICC or multinational cricket tournaments. Whenever India and Pakistan clash on the field, the thrill is at its peak. There are also some such incidents which strike home in the mind. Here we take a look at 5 such controversial incidents that made headlines in the previous editions of the Asia Cup.
1.Controversy between Gautam Gambhir and Kamran Akmal
In the 2010 Asia Cup match against Pakistan in Sri Lanka, India had got a target of 268 runs. MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir had added 98 runs for the third wicket. During this, experienced wicketkeeper of Pakistan Kamran Akmal appealed for a catch.
Gambhir got angry about Kamran Akmal’s style of appealing. During the drinks break, Gambhir got into an argument with Akmal. The umpires had to intervene. To defuse the tension, Dhoni had to take Gambhir away.
2.Altercation between Harbhajan Singh and Shoaib Akhtar
In the Asia Cup 2010 itself, there was a clash between Pakistan’s fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and India’s legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh during the match. Harbhajan Singh hit a six off Shoaib Akhtar in the 47th over of the Indian innings. After that the atmosphere got heated. After this there was a hearing between the two. Later, after winning the match, Harbhajan Singh also made some gestures towards Shoaib Akhtar.
3.Photoshopped picture of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Taskin Ahmed
A picture before the final of the Asia Cup 2016 shows Taskin Ahmed of Bangladesh holding MS Dhoni’s severed head. This picture created a big storm on social media. The picture was uploaded on Twitter. In that edition of the Asia Cup, Bangladesh defeated Pakistan in the final with India.
4.When ‘Captain Cool’ lost his cool
Asia Cup 2016 is also remembered for poor umpiring. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, popularly known as Captain Cool, also lost his cool on one such decision. Dhoni was furious when Pakistan’s Khurram Manzoor was given not out.
TV replays showed that the ball had hit Manzoor’s gloves before Dhoni took the catch. But India’s appeal was turned down by on-field umpire Bangladesh’s Sharfuddaula Ibn Shahid. Dhoni also talked to him. After the match, Dhoni had also expressed concern about the poor umpiring.
5.Unforgettable 17-ball over from Mohammad Sami
In the Asia Cup 2004 match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Mohammad Sami made his bowling debut with Shabbir Ahmed. He bowled the first over maiden. However, after this Pakistan fast bowler Sami made an embarrassing record. He bowled an over of 17 balls. Sami’s over included 7 wides and 4 no-balls.
