India's National Anthem Muted In Rawalpindi, Pakistani Media Reacts

Every cricket encounter between India and Pakistan is inherently captivating. However, during their T20 World Cup showdown on Sunday, anticipation reached its zenith. Initially, India managed a modest 119 runs batting first. As Pakistan took to the crease, they appeared to dominate.

Yet, in the final 6 overs, Indian bowlers orchestrated a remarkable turnaround. Securing victory by a narrow 6-run margin, India's triumph reverberated through Pakistani media, depicting Pakistan's defeat as a squandered opportunity.

Pakistan Left Disheartened

The Express Tribune, a Pakistani newspaper, featured an article titled 'Disheartenment Among Pakistanis Post India's T20 World Cup Victory.'
As per reports from news agency AFP, Pakistani dailies conveyed, 'Pakistan's supporters felt let down following their loss to arch-rival India on Monday. With only two matches played, some have come to terms with the notion that Pakistan has no chance left in the T20 World Cup and has already suffered defeat.' A supporter in Rawalpindi remarked, 'Cricket has come to an end for Pakistan.'

Quiet Screen During Playing of Indian National Anthem

Pakistani newspapers reported that as night descended on Sunday, a crowd of 15,000 spectators congregated at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with a capacity matching the attendance. A live broadcast of the match from New York was displayed on a large screen. Interestingly, during the playing of the Indian national anthem before the match, the stadium screen remained silent, highlighting the irony of the rivalry between the two nations.

The newspaper added, 'In a gripping match, India clinched a six-run victory over Pakistan, triggering disappointment among Pakistani fans who resorted to hurling plastic bottles at the screen. Following the match, Mohammad Hafeez attributed Pakistan's loss to a subpar batting performance, emphasizing that such defeats have become customary.'

In a separate piece, the publication highlighted Pakistan's struggle against India. It observed, 'India concluded their innings at 119 runs. Rain interruptions posed challenges for both teams, intensifying the match. India's strategic choices contributed to their triumph, with Virat Kohli's decision to open proving pivotal. Overall, it was a fierce competition, showcasing the rivalry between cricket's giants.'

Concluding moments of Pakistan's match

According to Dawn, during the final stages of the T20 World Cup 2024 encounter against India, Pakistan faced defeat despite exerting pressure for an extended period.

The paper remarked, 'While both nations are cricket powerhouses, their encounters are infrequent. Typically reserved for ICC tournaments, their last Test match dates back to 2007. Led by Rohit Sharma, India clashed with Babar Azam's team at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York for their Group A fixture. Tickets for this high-profile encounter were sold out well in advance. Pakistan's loss to India significantly diminishes their prospects of advancing to the Super Eight stage of the 20-country tournament.'

Also Read: IND vs PAK: 5 Key Players Behind Team India’s Victory, Saving Fans From Heartbreak

Questioning the Pitch

The article raises questions about the pitches used in T20 World Cup matches played in New York due to surprising results. ICC acknowledges that the pitches weren't made according to set standards.

The temporary Nassau County International Cricket Stadium has hosted two matches so far, both with very low scores. The pitches made batting extremely difficult due to movement and bounce. India's batting coach Vikram Rathour termed it a 'challenging wicket.'

Stunning Loss for Pakistan

Geo TV wrote that Pakistan lost to India in a match that was surprising. Despite the effective performance of its bowlers, Pakistan lost to India by 6 runs.

Meanwhile, Pakistani newspaper Pakistan Today stated that India defeated Pakistan in an exciting match. Some Pakistani players' fitness was questioned. The article said, 'All-rounder Imad Wasim is unable to recover from his injury, raising concerns about changes in the playing eleven. Azam Khan's poor performance also contributed to the loss. Recent reports suggest that all-rounder Shadab Khan might be excluded from the playing eleven due to injury.'

Also Read: IND vs PAK: Team India Set 120-Run Target For Pakistan In New York

In a report by Geo TV, it was said, "Batsmen's carelessness and irresponsibility led Pakistan to lose a winning match. Mohsin Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, said that it is necessary to bring new talent into the Pakistani team. They are disappointed with the loss against India. Earlier, it seemed that the team would manage with minor surgeries, but after this loss, it is clear that major surgery is needed for the team."