Fans clash in Afghanistan-Pakistan match

Fan clashes during and prior to the Afghanistan versus Pakistan World Cup match at Leeds has seen at least two fans evicted on Saturday.

Physical clashes of this nature among fans are very rare in cricket matches.

The clashes broke out outside the stadium as well once fans were evicted as they used steel barricades as weapons before security personnel had to get involved.

Journalists present there were also assaulted.

The root of the clashes seems to have stemmed people entering the stadium by jumping the boundary wall without tickets and taking seats of those who had tickets. 

We are aware of some scuffles among a minority of fans and are currently working with the venue security team and the local police force, West Yorkshire Police, to ensure there are no further incidents," an ICC spokesperson said. "We do not condone this type of behaviour, and will take appropriate action against any anti-social behaviour that spoils the enjoyment for the majority of fans."  

There have been tensions between the two countries off the field as well with many Afghan cricketers learning their trade in Pakistan and with support from their local clubs, but they have adopted India as their home venue, playing international matches in Dehradun. 

Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib was however hopeful that the relation between the two countries could improve if they played more cricket with each other.

"Yeah, if you look, we learnt a lot of cricket, Pakistan, we also played cricket in Pakistan," Naib said. "And we also are hoping cricket, the sport is one thing so you can keep a good relationship for anyone like in any other country. So I'm hoping that not only with Pakistan, like India, Sri Lanka, the other countries, we want good cricket.