WEB DESK: Right before team Pakistan went to the field to face New Zealand in the first match of ICC Champions Trophy, Pakistan team captain Muhammad Rizwan said on Wednesday, that the team would ensure that they keep NZ at bay; Pakistani fans should have known that as ever the entire responsibility was to be shouldered by the bowlers (not the wisest move but it is what it is). Plus the tri-nation series was an eye-opener that home ground and home crowd do not translate as a guarantee for victory because matches are won on strategies and not mere prayers and chances. The start of Champions Trophy in Pakistan’s former capital Karachi has already lowered the expectations from the team, as international cricket returned after a hiatus of 29 years.
But as they say, cricket for Pakistanis is like being in a sadistic relationship; having a jilted lover who holds you by the nape so there is no escape. A country that has only survived thus far on the resilience tonic on the rocks, some fans already have their calculus hats on as they look toward other teams, eyeing possible points they might gain or lose based on their previous performance. Pak sar zameen ka nizaam which is more like Qudrat ka Nizaam is now picking up as Pakistan is set to play India on February 23 in Dubai, while India will face Bangladesh on Thursday (today).
One does wonder why did the team especially the bowlers falter so badly despite being in their home, but as a cricket abiding citizen, one shall always hope that Pakistan is not kicked out by the end of its second match.
Here is a round-up of the reactions to Pakistan’s performance against New Zealand:
Of course everyone’s favourite cricket portal ESPN cricinfo had to strike:
It’s not you team Pakistan, it is us:
Was the tri-nation series supposed to help team Pakistan?
There must be a Faustian pact done by Pakistan that it can never have all three together:
Forever mood:
This thought does console that Pakistan is also representing another team, it’s not easy to play for two:
Babar Azam will always be the centre of the discussion, for all the right or wrong reasons:
Although some might put forward a case for him:
The fielding was also lauded except it seemed reaching at this point:
Sweet sweet summer child:
Whether Pakistan is able to reach semis let alone manage to stay in the tournament is up to the team as it reels the loss of Fakhar Zaman, that too within the first three balls of the very tournament he was looking forward to. The morale would be down but the fans are still hopeful, especially all those in the Gulf who are awaiting the highly anticipatory India vs Pakistan on Sunday.
Will Pakistan’s victory light up Monday blues or will the fans clasp their hearts and trot to their work – it shall be revealed on Sunday.
Keep watching this space for all ICC Champions Trophy updates!