Maxwell issues clarification over handshake incident

Aussie came under fire for refusing to shake hands with Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed

KARACHI: Australia batting all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has issued a clarification stating that the handshake incident with Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed was not deliberate.

Maxwell came under fire when a footage emerged portraying him as intentionally refusing to shake hands with Sarfraz after the final of the T20I Tri-Series in Harare.

In the early hours of Monday, Maxwell took to Twitter to issue a statement in order to explain his stance on the matter.

pic.twitter.com/SIGOiEyOKL

— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) July 9, 2018

“In regards to the incident shown post match, it appears unsportsmanlike, and certainly not the way I play the game. It was genuine oversight on my behalf and I’m currently looking for Sarfraz in the hotel to shake his hand and congratulate him and his team for their series win,” said Maxwell.

The 29-year-old was disappointed with the way the series ended for Australia — after they lost to Pakistan in the final of the T20I Tri-Series by six wicket — but he congratulated the Men in Green on their superb show.

“Congrats to Pakistan on their win yesterday, Fakhar Zaman and Shoaib Malik were unstoppable! Sad note to end the tour of Zimbabwe, but still plenty of positives to take out of it,” the statement read.