<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">SHARJAH: Afghanistan's Fareed Ahmad made a threatening gesture after running up to Pakistan's Asif Ali, who in response raised his bat as the two players almost came to blows in what turned into an ill-tempered cricket match in the Asia Cup here on Wednesday.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Asif then lost his cool and angrily waved his bat at Fareed in an unseemly spat after his dismissal in a tense finale.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Naseem Shah hit two sixes at the start of the final over as Pakistan won by one wicket with four balls to spare in their tricky chase of 130, setting up a final with Sri Lanka.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tempers flared when fast bowler Fareed struck twice in the 19th over including the key wicket of big-hitting Asif.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The batsman, who hit two sixes in a brisk 16 off eight balls, was caught at short fine-leg in an attempt to hook a bouncer and became embroiled in a row with Fareed as he made his way off the field.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">An incensed Asif gestured in the direction of Fareed with his bat before players intervened along with the umpire to defuse the tension.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What a shameful act. Afghani Player Fareed Ahmad Mocking and Abusing Asif Ali after knocking him down. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan, who top-scored with 36, played down the incident, saying it happened "in the heat of the moment" and was best left on the field.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Afghanistan skipper Mohammad Nabi was fielding in the deep and said he didn't know what happened in the middle.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">There was also considerable fan violence in the stands, with certain videos showing Afghan fans using stadium seats to beat up Pakistan fans. The videos also show the plastic seats being hurled violently by Afghanistan fans at Pakistan fans, who were ducking for cover.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pakistani cricket fans beaten to a pulp by Afghan cricket fans triggered by Pakistani batsman Asif Ali’s attempt to.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Pakistan's win knocked out Afghanistan as well as rivals India in the process. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Afghanistan and India meet in a dead rubber in Dubai on Thursday. Source: HT </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">bnbd24/kh</div>