Pakistan’s Prime Minister Salman Ali Akha, while reacting to the controversial issue against Bangladesh, said that if he was in place of Mehdi Hasan, he would have handled the matter in a different way.
He expressed these views in a press conference at the end of the match in Dhaka.
During the match, Salman Axa got out of the box by jumping the ball at the non-playable end, Muhammad Rizwan played a shot and the ball went straight to Salman Axa’s wing and stopped there.
Salman Axa wanted to pick up the ball, but at that moment Mehdi Hasan picked up the ball and hit the wicket, and then the third referee announced the ball.
Salman Axa was very angry about this decision and threw his gloves and helmet on the ground.
An important moment! Mehidy Hasan lifts Miraz Salman Axa with a glorious return. ⚡🏏#BCB #Tifik #Bangladesh #Pakistan #ODI pic.twitter.com/N0inKkZVwz
– Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) 13 March 2026
Later in the press conference, Axa said that Mehdi’s action was right according to the law, but he believes that sportsmanship is also important in sports.
According to him, if he was in that situation, he might have taken a different decision.
Axa stated that the ball first hit his palm and then the bat, which he thought was dead. That’s why he tried to pick up the ball and pass it to the bowler instead of running away.
He also regretted his emotional reaction and said that it was all due to temporary anger.
Axa said that he will talk to Mehdi later and resolve the matter.
