Pakistan’s senior-most pro and former captain Shoaib Malik’s touching gesture of consoling a weeping Aftab Alam after taking 10 decisive runs off the quick in successive balls of the final over, on Friday, has been much appreciated by Afghanistan.

Both captain Asghar Afghan and coach Phil Simmons said so in brief interactions with The Telegraph at the InterContinental on Saturday.

“Shoaib is not only a good cricketer, but a good human being too. That was such a fine gesture. Unke jagah mein main bhi wahi karta,” Asghar observed.

Simmons commented: “There’s more to cricket than just winning and losing. Shoaib is a wonderful person and, obviously, a wonderful cricketer…

“Such gestures do get made even today, only not all get noticed.”

“We’re very disappointed at losing such a tight match, but the boys’ spirits are high. As you can see, they are relaxed at their breakfast table. They’ve had a very good Asia Cup and have it in them to bounce back,” Simmons added.