The ‘threat’ was real: Artists celebrate Pakistan’s T20 victory against New Zealand

For Pakistani cricket fans left heartbroken after Black Caps’ tour cancellation, the win was a balm to their bruises

The Pakistani cricket team sent waves of joy across the nation once again after their second T20 victory, this time against New Zealand. After the historic T20 win against India, Pakistani cricket fans approached the game with New Zealand brimming with cautious optimism. With the wound inflicted by the Black Cap’s exit from their recent cricket tour of Pakistan still fresh, Pakistanis hoped for a win to get back at the team for their last minute cancellation. The green shirts did not disappoint, performing spectacularly on the field, despite a stumble or two. 

The high-stakes match had Pakistani cricket fans glued to the screen. With the win predictor inching towards one team and then another during the nail-biting game. With Shoaib Malik’s patient yet powerful approach and Asif Ali’s energetic hits turning the tide of the match in Pakistan’s favour after a slow start, as well as Haris Rauf’s brilliant bowling performance helping cap off New Zealand’s innings at 134/8, the game was one for the books.  The Men in Green chased down a 135 run target in a match that kept cricket fans glued to their screens, with several celebrities taking to social media to share their excitement about the eventual win. 

Actor Humayun Saeed took to Twitter to congratulate the team, writing, “Well done and congratulations to Pakistan on another brilliant win! Got a bit challenging but that's ok. Well played, Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali. Great job by Haris Rauf as well! Insha Allah we have to reach the final at all costs and win this tournament. Keep the momentum going!” 

Well done and congratulations Pakistan on another brilliant win! Got a bit challenging but that's ok.. Well played @realshoaibmalik & @AasifAli2018. Great job by @HarisRauf14 as well! Insha Allah we have to reach final at all cost and win this tournament. Keep the momentum going! pic.twitter.com/5TRq0rLUyX

— Humayun Saeed (@iamhumayunsaeed) October 26, 2021

Fans at the boundary chanted “Security!” at the Black Caps in reference to the team pulling out of their Pakistan tour at the last minute citing security concerns. Actor Usman Mukhtar took to social media to echo the sentiment held by most Pakistani fans, tweeting, “To all the teams that cancelled on us and didn’t take us seriously, thank you for the motivation! Love, Pakistan.”

To all the teams that cancelled on us and didn’t take us seriously, thank you for the motivation! Love Pakistan.

— Usman Mukhtar Official (@MukhtarHoonMein) October 26, 2021

In a similar vein, singer Asim Azhar tweeted, “The best form of revenge is success. I can’t imagine what these boys must’ve felt when the tours were cancelled. Probably waited so long for this. We are so so so proud of you boys regardless of winning the world cup or not!” 

Best form of revenge is success. I can’t imagine what these boys must’ve felt when the tours were cancelled. Probably waited so long for this. We are so so so proud of you boys regardless of winning the world cup or not!!!

India✅
New Zealand✅
Next?😉 #PAKvNZ #T20WorldCup

— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) October 26, 2021

Poking fun at the New Zealand team, he added in a separate tweet, “The boys took the security issue very personally. Proper ghar tak chor kay aaye hain New Zealand ko khud [They properly escorted the New Zealand team back home themselves].” 

The boys took the security issue very personally. Proper ghar tak chor kay aaye hain New Zealand ko khud. 🤪 #PAKvNZ #T20WorldCup

— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) October 26, 2021

Singer Ali Zafar joined in, commenting on the “threat” faced by the Black Caps. “We now kinda get why New Zealand left without playing. Threat was real.”

We now kinda get it why #NewZealand left without playing. Threat was real. #pakistanteam #PAKvNZ #PakvsNewzealand #pakistan #PakistanZindabad

— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) October 26, 2021

Mahira Khan took to Twitter in honour of the win, tweeting out a host of celebratory emojis, writing, “MashaAllah” to ward off any bad nazar aiming at the Men in Green. 

🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳😢🧿🧿🧿🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰 MashAllah!! MashAllah!! #CongratulationsPakistan #PAKvNZ

— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) October 26, 2021

Farhan Saeed tweeted out a message for the New Zealand cricket team, deeming the win an act of retribution. “The unfinished business: New Zealand is a great team, but what you did was below the belt. So yes, it’s personal! We are not an arrogant nation, so it's not about the result but know that Pakistan will hit you hard today!” 

The Unfisnished Business :

Newzealand is a great team , but what you did was below the belt. So yes its personal! We are not a arrogant nation , so its not about the result but KNOW that Pakistan will hit you hard today! #PakvsNz #T20WorldCup2021 #BabarAzam

— Farhan Saeed (@farhan_saeed) October 26, 2021