ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan team management has requested the InternationalCricket Council (ICC) for additional security, after clashes between fansand spectators running onto the field during the Men in Green’s matchagainst Afghanistan on Sunday in Leeds.
Police were forced to intervene as violent clashes between rivalsupporters, outside the stadium and in the stands, marred the World Cupmatch between the two sides.
After Pakistan’s nail-biting three-wicket win over Afghanistan, the losingteam’s supporters also ran onto the field in a bid to attack the Pakistanplayers but security staff intervened to avoid any mishap from happening.
The Pakistan team were also restricted to their dressing room, after theconclusion of the match, due to lack of security and fear of more violentincidents. Later when additional security personnel arrived, after acomplain was filed by the team management, the team was safely escortedfrom the stadium.
Political relations between the south Asian neighbours have been marked byyears of distrust and blame.
Eyewitnesses told AFP there were clashes in the stands at the start of thematch, which spread outside the ground until security officers intervened.
“Thanks to the intervention from security personnel the situation did notgo out of control,” said Ahmed Zai, who is from the Pakistani city ofPeshawar, but lives in nearby Bradford.
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A Pakistani journalist was also attacked by the crowd, stopping him fromshooting video.
A statement from West Yorkshire police said: “At 11:55 am today (1055 GMT)police received reports of some trouble outside the ground linked to peopletrying to get in. Officers attended to disperse the group without anyissues and remained on patrol in the area.”
The International Cricket Council said in a statement: “We are aware ofsome scuffles among a minority of fans and are currently working with thevenue security team and the local police force, West Yorkshire Police, toensure there are no further incidents.”
It added: “We do not condone any sort of political messages at the ICCMen’s Cricket World Cup and will work with West Yorkshire police to dealwith and understand why this has happened and to ensure it does not happenagain.”
The 17,000-capacity stadium was packed for the match, with Pakistan fansoutnumbering Afghanistan supporters. -APP/AFP
