International Cricket Council calls for investigation over crowd trouble at Afghanistan vs Pakistan T20 World Cup Game

November 2, 2021

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has called on the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to "undertake a thorough investigation" following into crowd trouble at last Friday’s T20 World Cup game between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

With the ICC advising that more than 16,000 tickets had been issued for the game at the Dubai International Stadium, reports indicated that thousands of ticketless fans arrived at the venue and then attempted to force entry into the stadium.

In a statement, the ICC said that these fans “then attempted to force entry" with at least one external barrier pushed over while a mass of supporters gathered outside the Stadium's main gates throughout the game itself.

The statement continued "Dubai Police and security staff secured the stadium to ensure the safety of everyone inside and brought in significant additional resources to disperse the crowd and calm the situation.

"At approximately 7pm, Dubai Police directed that all gates should remain closed and no further entry was permitted to maintain a safe and controlled environment inside the venue.

"The ICC has asked the ECB to undertake a thorough investigation into tonight's events to learn any lessons and will work closely with authorities to ensure there is no repeat of this situation in the future."

Fans have been permitted at 70-80% capacity throughout the World Cup depending on local restrictions, with tickets for matches involving Asian teams selling well.

The ICC's statement included an apology to "any fans with valid tickets who were unable to enter the stadium tonight", who were advised to contact the ticket provider.

Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan's captain, said in his post-match press conference “for the Afghan fans, please buy a ticket and come to the stadium. Don't repeat again. This is not good."

The sides' previous World Cup meeting, in the UK in 2019, had been marred by crowd trouble, security lapses and pitch invasions.

Relocated from India to the UAE and Oman, the T20 World Cup runs until 14th November.

Host venues include Dubai International Stadium (pictured), the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the Sharjah Stadium and the Oman Cricket Academy Ground.

Despite the tournament having been relocated, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is still serving as the host of the tournament.

4th October 2021 - UAE venues to operate at 70% capacity for Twenty20 World Cup

16th September 2021 - UAE venues to allow fans for Indian Premier League fixtures

6th July 2021 - New cricket oval opened in Abu Dhabi in advance of IPL and T20 World Cup

30th June 2021 - ICC advises relocation of T20 World Cup from India to UAE and Oman

29th June 2021 - Live concerts to return to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island from July

31st May 2021 - Indian Premier League season to continue in the UAE in September and October

25th May 2021 - Remainder of Pakistan Super League season to be played in Abu Dhabi

9th January 2021 - Land set aside for new Afghanistan cricket stadium

21st December 2020 - 2020 an ‘unprecedented’ year for sport administrators

23rd October 2020 - ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 secures top event awards

7th August 2020 - ICC shifts Australian hosting of Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 while India keeps 2021 edition

21st July 2020 - BCCI looks to stage rescheduled 2020 Indian Premier League in the UAE

20th July 2020 - ICC postpones Twenty20 World Cup

23rd June 2020 - ICC says T20 Women’s World Cup 2020 broke viewing records for female sport

19th June 2020 - Dubai Sports Council allows fitness centres to operate at full capacity

9th April 2020 - Coronavirus pandemic halts Pakistani cricket

5th April 2020 - Pakistan Cricket Board wants to host International Cricket Council event to cover losses

4th February 2013 - Himalayan stadium reaches new heights

23rd April 2009 - Cricket Stadium Opens at Dubai Sports City

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.