The agony & heartbreak of a millennial cricket fan

As I sat in front of the TV, watching Pakistan's CT 2025 campaign come to a screeching halt, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions: shock, disappointment, and heartbreak.

Being a millennial, I've always been obsessed with cricket, particularly Pakistan's team.

Growing up, I experienced the highs of winning the 2009 T20 World Cup, as well as the lows, including the 1999 World Cup defeat, when then-captain Wasim Akram made the shocking decision to bat first on a wet surface.

This was followed by the 2003 exit, which was particularly significant because Pakistan's three cricket legends announced their retirements: Wasim Akram (who was the leading wicket-taker in World Cups with a tally of 55), Waqar Younis, the then-captain, and Saeed Anwar.

The 2007 World Cup was another disappointment, as Pakistan failed to advance beyond the group stage after being knocked out by Ireland and even a greater tragedy occurred with the sudden death of Head Coach Bob Woolmer a day after the defeat.

Although Pakistan managed to win the 2009 T20 World Cup, hopes were dashed again when the team lost the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup against India in Mohali.

Now, the most painful heartbreak is undoubtedly the early exit of Team Green from the ICC CT 2025, an event that Pakistan was hosting after a gap of three decades.

Pakistan's 1999 World Cup final nightmare relived

It's the second time, like me, among many countrymen are facing the similar heartbreaks, 26 years later.

I still remember, I was a kid at that time, and we had recently bought a 14-inch color television at home. I didn't even know how to operate the remote panel, but after fixing the terrestrial antenna, I sat down on the sofa and started watching the 1999 World Cup final.

The game progressed — remember, we had been world champions just seven years earlier and, at that time, we were the strongest side in ’99 world cup.

We had Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar, who scored back-to-back hundreds, Shoaib Akhtar, with the strongest middle-order pair of Inzamam-ul-Haq and Ijaz Ahmed, and the trio of all-rounders: Azhar Mahmood, Abdul Razzaq, and Shahid Afridi. And of course, Saleem Malik and Saqlain Mushtaq, making a solid balance to the batting and bowling departments.

Alas, we couldn't grasp the trophy, as Team Pakistan crumbled against the Australian bowling attack and were all out for 132.

What? 132 all out! The grief still haunts me, and the agony is beyond words.

I couldn't watch the remaining game. I went to sleep and only woke up to the news while preparing my school bag next day: the Aussies had won.

Twenty-six years ago, that crushing defeat left an indelible mark on my heart, and the pain still lingers.

And now, again, Pakistan has made an early exit from the Champions Trophy, a tournament the nation has had to wait 29 years to host. It's beyond words to explain the feelings of Pakistani cricket enthusiasts, who have been left reeling from the team's dismal performance.

A cricket passionate nation with illussions & paranoia

Our generation has suffered many setbacks at the hands of the national team, and now we don't have the courage to endure more.

It's time for the cricket board to prepare for surgery on the Green Shirts.

We don't need these Kings - Babar, Speed Guns Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah, and Haris Rauf. Hot take: their central contracts should be terminated, and they should be sent back to domestic cricket. If they perform well there, we can consider their return to the team; otherwise, let them go.

Pakistani cricket needs to transform itself according to the demands of modern cricket. We're still stuck in the 90s, while the world has moved far ahead.

India is a clear example; their cricket and infrastructure are at least a decade ahead of us.

Pakistani cricket has a long journey ahead, and it needs to start today. Otherwise, the decline of Pakistani cricket, which has begun with this Champions Trophy, will only worsen, and Pakistani cricket fans will never want that to happen.

We have a rich cricket legacy, how can we watch it disappear before our eyes?

For Pakistan... all is on the line!

But we must not lose hope. Instead, it's time for us to come out in large numbers to fill the stadiums to capacity for each remaining game, regardless of the fact that home team has been knocked out of the tournament.

If we fail to do so, which I doubt, it will be a setback not only for Pakistan cricket but also for future generations.

Cricket is a shared passion, and we must live in the moment and graciously accept defeat with open hearts. Whether we win or lose, we shouldn't lose our spirit, because, as they say: 'all is on the line'.