Pakistan top order batter Fakhar Zaman was praised online after walking before any fielders appealed during Pakistan’s Asia Cup clash against India.

The fixture, both sides’ first in this year’s Asia Cup, was just India and Pakistan’s tenth meeting in men’s T20I cricket. India won the toss, inserted Pakistan into bat and started well.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed the big early wicket of Babar Azam for 10 after the Pakistan captain top edged a short delivery to hand Arshdeep Singh a straightforward catch at short fine leg.

25-year-old quick Avesh Khan then struck in his first over, the final one in the powerplay. Avesh had appeared to beat Fakhar but Pakistan’s No. 3 had in fact got the faintest of edges on the ball as it carried through to India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik.

Fakhar, knowing he had got something on the ball, started his walk back towards the dressing room before the India fielders had appealed  – a display of sportsmanship that was commended on social media.

Former Pakistan women’s captain Sana Mir praised not only Fakhar’s decision to walk, but also that he had done so in such an important game. “Hats off to Fakhar Zaman for walking off after a nick in a loud stadium when no one heard it. How many would do that specially in such a high profile game?”

Hats off to @FakharZamanLive for waking off after a nick in a loud stadium when no one heard it. How many would do that specially in such a high profile game? #PakVsInd #AsiaCup2022

— Sana Mir ثناء میر (@mir_sana05) August 28, 2022

Many batters would have just stood there and pretended they didn’t edge it and hope that the opposition don’t appeal – but that was fantastic sportsmanship from Fakhar Zaman #INDvsPAK #AsiaCup2022

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) August 28, 2022

🫡🫡 Fakhar Zaman has set a high level standards of sportsman spirit by walking over to pavillion despite no appeal from India. You can hardly expect such sort of sportsman spirit in India and Pakistan encounter. #INDvPAK

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) August 28, 2022

#FakharZaman what a sportsmanship 🫡 respect #INDvPAK

— Aly Goni (@AlyGoni) August 28, 2022