South Africa’s Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan was marred by spectators engaging in a brawl in the stands at Edgbaston.
The fight broke out during the Group B tie in Birmingham, which South Africa went on to win by 67 runs.
Pakistan enjoyed the raucous support of a one-sided 24,000 crowd, but as they surrendered late in the day there was a smattering of boos to be heard.
But those boos boiled over as Pakistan’s fans appeared to start fighting among themselves.
The ugly scenes will be a concern to the Edgbaston authorities.
On Saturday it is due to play host to the grudge match between traditional foes Pakistan and India.
Pakistan will have to win that match if they are to have any chance of progressing in the Champions Trophy which sees the world’s top eight teams compete for the crown.
Even a victory, which would have to be by a large margin, might not necessarily be enough to see Pakistan, which enjoys huge support in Birmingham, make it through to the knockout stages.
Edgbaston is one of three venues, along with The Oval and Cardiff, playing host to the Champions Trophy this summer.
The disappointment of the supporters were also on display at the post-match presentation ceremony. Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq played a captain’s innings in a lost cause but was booed by some disgruntled supporters.
“That’s the way things are, when you perform well everybody appreciates you, when you produce these sort of performances they have the right to say this,” Misbah said.
Earlier, it had been a very different story. During the South African innings each wicket was greeted with raucous cheers from the crowd.
But the Pakistani batsmen never looked like getting close to the South African total of 234-9.
Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals and left themselves too much to do having taken 32.1 overs just to pass 100.
Misbah’s dismissal for 55 to leave the score at 148-7 in the 42nd over was the killer blow as South Africa eased home, as things turned ugly in the stands
