England lift Cup, but Pakistan win hearts

Trophy or no trophy, politicians, cricketers, celebrities express pride in Babar’s XI

KARACHI:

Unlucky Pakistan put on a brave face on Sunday after a heart-breaking result of the T20 World Cup 2022 final that saw the Men in Green go down fighting against the mighty England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

While defending a below-par 138-run target, Pakistan fell to a five-wicket defeat with six balls remaining. The team also suffered another blow when strike bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi was injured, catching Harry Brooks in the deep and unable to complete his final two overs at the death.

Yet, the Pakistani fans, including political leaders, former and current cricketers, international commentators, prominent showbiz personalities, celebrated the team’s fighting spirit that kept them on the edge until the last run was taken. They believed that if Afridi was not injured the game was open for anybody to take.

Despite the defeat, Pakistan’s performance in Australia exceeded expectations after they lost their first two matches in the Super 12 to India and Zimbabwe and scraped into the semi-finals courtesy of South Africa’s shock defeat to the Netherlands a week ago.

Pakistan were just inches away from raising the spirit of the 1992 ODI World Cup win on Sunday when they took the final against England to the second last over, but it wasn’t Babar Azam and Co’s lucky day as Jos Buttler’s side lifted the 2022 T20 World Cup trophy.

With the 5-wicket win, England became the first side ever to be crowned both the ODI and the T20 world champions. They also became the second side after West Indies to have two T20 World Cup titles under their belts.

Pakistan were completely ruled out of the tournament after they lost the opening two matches of the 2022 T20 extravaganza against India and then minnows Zimbabwe, but they fought back hard, winning all of their matches from there on before overpowering the might New Zealand in the semi-finals to enter the final.

A resounding victory over the Kane Williamson-led side in the last-four stage gave the cricket-crazy Pakistan fans hope that Babar will lift the trophy on Sunday. However, England turned out to be a gritty opposition on the day.

Pakistan were handicapped in the defence of a paltry 138-run target. But in the death overs, Afridi’s injury was the turning point, Part-time spinner Iftikhar Ahmed was called to finish the remaining over, giving England an advantage over Pakistan when it mattered the most.

Despite the failure, the nation praised the Babar Azam and Co for fighting till the end. “Team Pakistan fought back hard & brave. Great bowling performance. But England played better today. We are proud of our boys in green for making it to the final match of this mega tournament,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.

President Dr Arif Alvi, in a tweet, congratulated England for their “good all-round performance” to lift the T20 World Cup but he also praised Pakistan’s performance in the final match. “Well played Pakistan, you bowled good and tried your best despite a low score,” he added.

Thirty years after losing the 50-over World Cup final to Pakistan at the same venue, England turned the tables on Pakistan with brilliant death bowling, while all-rounder Ben Stokes provided the finishing touch with 52 not out, chase 138 for victory. England became the first team to hold both the white-ball world titles, since claiming the 50-over World Cup at home in 2019.

Imran Khan, who led Pakistan to the ODI World Cup victory in 1992, consoled the team saying: “Winning and losing are part of the game but Pakistani players did their best,” Imran said. He also prayed for the early recovery of Afridi. Imran termed Pakistan captain Babar Azam a ‘world class’ batsman.

Pakistan capitain Babar Azam Vice-captain Shadab Khan thanked fans for the support. “Couldn’t be more proud of my pack. You all fought like true warriors,” Babar tweeted. “Sorry to let you down. We will try to improve as a team and comeback even stronger,” Shadab said in another tweet.

Batsman Shan Masood, who top-scored with 38 in the final, said that Pakistan could take pride in getting to the World Cup final but now the young team must take the next step – learning how to close out tight games.

“There were stages especially with the bat that we could have finished things off really well,” he said. “Personally, I take blame for it. We were aiming for 170 and having looked at the way the innings ended, we could have used a batsman staying in and getting us to at least 155-160, which would have been good on that pitch.”

However, despite the shortcomings, Pakistani cricket fans, both former cricketers as well as showbiz personalities, chose to cheer up the Green Shirts for putting up a good fight and trying their best till the very end.

“Credit to Pakistan. Few teams would have defended 137 the way they did. Best bowling team,” tweeted commentator Harsha Bhogle.

Bhogle’s views were echoed by Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who believed that it would have been a more interesting final if Shaheen was not injured. “It was a closely fought final and would’ve been even more interesting had Afridi not been injured. What a roller coaster of a World Cup.”

“The batting side dug a hole that even the world’s best bowling couldn’t fill. Outstanding effort by the team to get to the final against all odds and a great game of cricket. England came well prepared. Chin up boys, we are the runners up of the T20WorldCup,” wrote former captain Shahid Afridi.

Bowler Hassan Ali said that from the verge of being evicted from the tournament to playing the final at the MCG “is a big deal” in itself. “All of you fought really well we backed you throughout and will continue doing so,” he said.

“U guys inspired many with ur resilience... Thank u team Pakistan for lovely & amazing memories, added former all-rounder Muhammad Hafeez.

Similar sentiments were shared by the Pakistan celebrities on their social media platforms. “Thank you brave ones for putting up a good fight, that’s what matters. Proud of my team, always,” wrote actor Mawra Hocane in an Instagram story with a painted face for the match.

Humayun Saeed urged the team to buckle up and not to lose hope but continue with the “incredible spirit” that they held throughout the tournament. “Winning and losing will continue what matters are the incredible spirit with which the Pakistan team bounced back in the tournament and continued to fight till the last ball,” he said.

Farhan Saeed thanked the team for giving the nation the utmost happiness of getting to the finals again. “Well played Babar Azam and boys! Keep your head high. Tough luck Shaheen Afridi, you were missed in the last overs. Overall you were great. And thank you for giving Pakistan this happiness.”

Asim Azhar, who is a die-hard cricket enthusiast, wrote, “Thank you my boys for the memories & the never-ending fight You made us believe in never giving up. Playing a world cup final in Australia is no joke. We must learn from our mistakes & come back stronger. We are still proud of you.”

(WITH INPUT FROM AGENCIES)