Fan clash leads to evacuation at Headingley

An hour into the game, a melee broke out at the Carnegie stand with supporters throwing punches following a supposed provocation © AFP

A group of fans were evacuated from Headingley after a fight broke out between the two groups of supporters during the first innings of the Pakistan-Afghanistan league stage encounter in Leeds on Saturday (June 29). Security personnel sprung into action in the stands below the Carnegie pavilion to douse the situation that had escalated following reported provocation from one set of supporters.

The simmering geopolitical tension between the two Asian neighbours had given the contest, the first between the two countries at a World Cup, a needle even before the start of play. As early as 9am, fans of both sides poured through the turnstiles of the stadium, with some ticketless among them even attempting to jump over the fences to get in, only to be taunted by the other set.

An hour into the game, a melee broke out at the Carnegie stand with supporters throwing punches following a supposed provocation. As they were evacuated out of the stadium, clashes broke out, with some of the journalists trying to film the incident also assaulted with bottles thrown at them.