Twitter reacts to Iftikhar Ahmed issuing public aplogy after disrespecting Asad Shafiq during fiery send-off
Wherever Pakistan cricketers go controversy follows and they often have little else to blame but themselves. Iftikhar Ahmed grabbed headlines for the wrong reasons during a Sindh Premier League fixture after having to be contained by teammates while seethingly shooing Asad Shafiq away in Karachi.
The Karachi Ghazis had been asked to bat first by the Shafiq-led Larkana Challengers and Iftikhar played a starring role with the bat, thrashing a 43-ball 69 to help set a target of 161. The Challengers proved to be no match for their rivals as they crumbled to 92 all-out with Iftikhar again playing a pivotal role with three scalps, including that ofĀ Shafiq but things went off the rail thereafter. While Shafiq was walking off, a furious Iftikhar walked up to him and evidently hurled a few choice words before snobbishly asking the recently retired 38-year-old toĀ return to the dugout after his teammates had intervened.
Later in the day, Iftikhar took to his social media to confess he had got carried away in theĀ heat of the moment and revealed he had issued a personal apology to his counterpart as well after the match, stating he had "great regards for him." However, the damage control was all too little for Twitterati's liking.
Aggression!
Phadda š³Ā @IftiManiaĀ got aggressive against Asad Shafiq. Never seen Asad angry and doing such things. Ifti bhai was a bit emotional there š¤¦
ā muzamilasif (@muzamilasif4)Ā January 31, 2024
VC: SPL#PakistanCricketĀ pic.twitter.com/cCu6cunMjR
Apology!
I am extremely apologetic for my behaviour in the field today. I shouldnāt have reacted the way I did in the heat of the moment. Iāve apologised toĀ @asadshafiq1986Ā Bhai in person after the match & have always held great regards for him. We have played a lot of cricket together.
ā Iftikhar Ahmad (@IftiMania)Ā January 31, 2024
The other side
"The other side of Pathan" refers to their nature of not wanting to upset or hurt anyone. They have a very soft heart and spread love and care for everyone. This is what defines them as a person.Ā #IftikharAhmadĀ https://t.co/wcuNmjAddR
ā Ahmad Amin Khan (@AhmadAminKhan)Ā January 31, 2024
DDDD
Iftikhar Ahmad walked out to the crease 3 down for 2 runs in 1.2 overs. Scored 69 off 43 balls with 5 sixes & 5 fours striking at 160. He also claimed 3 wickets removing Asad Shafiq, Tayyab Tahir & Umair Asif.Ā pic.twitter.com/fLyeiiasDq
ā Kalim Khan (@Kallerz37)Ā January 31, 2024
Comedy
Iftikhar Ahmad in Sindh Comedy League.Ā pic.twitter.com/FaLQYEH4oR
ā Talk Before Wicket (@TalkB4Wicket)Ā January 31, 2024
Angry!
Why so angry, bro! Iftikhar Ahamd in Sindh Premier League.#IftikharAhmadĀ #sindhpremierleagueĀ pic.twitter.com/UJMBTcKLDX
ā Aqdas Rehman (@AqdasRehman)Ā January 31, 2024
Iftimania
69 runs š
ā CricWick (@CricWick)Ā January 31, 2024
5 fours š«
5 sixes š
160.47 Strike Rate š„
Iftikhar Ahmed brings theĀ #IftiManiaĀ to the Sindh Premier League š@IftiManiaĀ #SindhPremierLeagueĀ pic.twitter.com/1faBQNvr4X
What a shame!
No proper marketing, cheap graphics and empty stadium. Presenting you the Sindh Premier League.
ā Ahmer Najeeb Satti (@AhmerNajeeb)Ā January 25, 2024
Sindh ke naam per Sindh ko choona laga rahe hain.#SPLĀ pic.twitter.com/ACKmvdyjqC
Thanks
Celebrating the Sindh Premier league in the true local style! Thank you Rana.Ā pic.twitter.com/mjkEpMYeMw
ā Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket)Ā January 31, 2024
LOL
Sindh Premier League posted so many tweets with the same caption š I didn't watch, were there so many "Action-packed moments"? Hire a good social/content personĀ #SPLĀ pic.twitter.com/SAlggvUdD5
ā Alisha Imran (@Alishaimran111)Ā January 26, 2024