Sarfraz Ahmed is confident Pakistan fans will not boo Australia batsman Steven Smith during their World Cup match in Taunton on Wednesday.
Pakistan fans are expected to make up a majority of the crowd and there is a possibility of some following the example of Indian supporters who jeered Smith at The Oval on Sunday.
However, Sarfraz says his compatriots will do no such thing.
“I don’t think Pakistani people will do that,” Sarfraz was quoted as saying by AFP. “Pakistani people love cricket, they love to support and they love the players.”
A number of Indian fans booed Smith and some called him “cheater”, refering to his one-year ban over the ball-tampering scandal last year. That forced captain Virat Kohli to direct Indians fans to stop jeering. He then apologised to Smith.
Meanwhile, Sarfraz said Pakistan’s 5-0 series defeat by Australia in March is well and truly behind them.
“I think that thing is gone, it’s past,” said the wicketkeeper batsman. “We’re not thinking about that. Actually we are thinking about tomorrow’s game. So our morale is very high and we will do our best.”
