Sethi plays down Hasan’s antics at Wagah border

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket chief Najam Sethi on Thursday played down allegations that star pacer Hasan Ali overstepped the mark during an appearance at the border where he squared off with Indian soldiers.

The video of the 24-year-old pacer at the main border crossing at Wagah in Pakistan’s Punjab province went viral on social media.During the incident Ali puffed out his chest mimicking gestures made by Pakistani border guards and also slapped his thigh while staring down Indian security forces, a gesture he often does on the pitch after taking a wicket.

The performance was largely cheered by Pakistani cricket fans but drew protests from Indian users who slammed the display as jingoistic.However Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Sethi played down Hasan’s action, dismissing attempts to politicise the incident.

“Our national cricket teams always go to the Wagah Border for the flag lowering ceremony,” Sethi told Pakistan media.“It’s unfortunate that social media has given it a political colour, what he did he usually does after taking a wicket.”

Hasan became the top ranked One-day International bowler in global rankings last year following his 13 wickets in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy triumph in England.During the same ceremony at the border, senior batsman Azhar Ali offered more conciliatory gestures, saying he hoped for eventual peace between the arch-rivals — who have not played a bilateral series since January 2013.“Peace is the way forward,” tweeted the batsman along with a picture, where he posed with Indian and Pakistan forces at Wagah.