New Delhi: Pakistani fans are sick and tired of their cricket team after Salman Agha’s men lost all three matches against India in the Asia Cup.
The green brigade was no match for the men in blue in the group league clash on September 14 (lost by 7 wickets) and then the Super 4 duel on September 21 (lost by 6 wickets).
They had high hopes that Pakistan will turn the tide in the grand finale, and prove to be third-time lucky against India on September 28.
Pakistan had their moments in Sunday’s final – at 113/1 in the 13th over and then reducing India to 20/3 in their chase of 147.
However, Indian spinners and batters showed their mettle when the chips were down to pull off a close match by 5 wickets.
Obviously, Pakistani supporters were not amused by the repeated flop shows of their cricketers against arch-rivals, especially after Operation Sindoor.
“We are not capable of winning against India. It’s a fact. We cannot win against them. India humare baap the aur rahenge (India was our father and will remain so). Our generation cannot defeat them. We are not even equal to their shoes. They did the right thing by not shaking hands with us,” said an angry fan.
“Being a Pakistan cricket fan isn’t easy,” conceded another fan, struggling to swallow the bitter pill.
“Disappointed again and again. This was the third match. We had some hope today, but there is no doubt India’s team is very strong,” one fan in Dubai told PTI.
“I am very disappointed. We should not have lost. I always return from here (India-Pakistan matches) hurt. They have no shame. They should play for the 22 crore people who leave their work and spend their time and money to see them play,” lamented one Pakistani.
The harshest criticism was reserved for pacer Harris Rauf, who was made ‘match ka mujrim (villain of the show)’.
“It is truly exhausting to share a country with Haris Rauf,” opined Pakistani journalist-columnist Umair Javed.
Former captain Wasim Akram, commentating on TV, slammed Rauf and advised selectors to make him play first-class cricket. “Unless he plays red ball cricket, how can he work on his flaws and improve?”
A visibly disturbed Mohammad Yousuf, former Pakistani captain and coach, said: “Haris Rauf has cost us matches in the last over so many times, he should not have been given the ball. Even against the US in the 2022 World Cup, he couldn’t defend. What do we do with him?” asked.
Former Pakistan pacer Tanveer Ahmed slammed captain Salma. “Salman Ali Agha as captain? Nobody knows where he came from. He can’t bat, he can’t do anything. How many runs did he score? Just eight.”
One disheartened Pakistan fan told ANI, “India shouldn’t even be playing against these kids”.
“Pakistani players don’t have that instinct to go for the kill, to be ruthless, and on top of that, the captaincy was poor. India’s team is far superior, so defeat was inevitable,” veteran Pakistani sports journalist Waheed Khan said on his YouTube channel, going on to slam Salman’s poor captaincy.
The Dawn carried a report online collating dozens of reactions from angry fans, and titled the article as ‘Pakistan cricket team did what it does best in the match against India – let down its fans.’
