PESHAWAR: An Afghan national team player, Shafiqullah Shafaq, was beaten by spectators after a Ramazan tournament at University of Peshawar Monday night.



“Shafiqullah raised the flag of Afghanistan during the match and said harsh words against Pakistan as a retaliation to comments supporting Pakistan during the match,” an eyewitness told The Express Tribune. “Subsequently, the spectators beat the player on the ground.”



An Afghan students activist in Pakistan, Khalid Amiri, said on social media the incident reflects the growing intolerance in Pakistan. He said Shafiqullah went to Peshawar to play the tournament without permission from Afghan Cricket Board.



Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2016.