New Delhi: Team Pakistan ended the first innings with 241 runs in the game against India Sunday and Pakistanis were not happy. Several of them remarked that the chances to win were slim.
“Pakistan won the toss, they should have decided to reflect,” a Pakistani X user wrote, further adding, “toss jeet k option honi chahiye k match khelna hi nahi (there should be an option to not play the match at all upon winning the toss).”
Others gave up. “Can’t remember feeling this relaxed before an Ind Pak game. Tum haaro ya haaro hamein tumse koi umeed nahi hai (we have no expectations from you if you lose or lose),” another one posted.
The initial rage about Babar Azam returning to the pavilion with just 23 runs caused a collective meltdown.
Ham majboor hain lekin agli pusht ko iss azaab se bacha lein. Bachon ko football waghera dikhayein. Let this sport go to the graveyard with us.
— Umair Javed (@umairjav) February 23, 2025
Another Pakistani had a suggestion: “I think India should also get over this rivalry with Pakistan. Focus on Australia, stay in your lane. Sharam karo bachon ko bully kartay huye (Shame on you for bullying kids).”
But the Virat-Babar camaraderie did not go unnoticed, neither did Kohli’s sportsmanship as he tied up Pakistani player Naseem Shah’s shoelaces.
babar and kohli vibing like those cousins who would have been friends ager aik k abu dusre ki jaidad na kha jate
— rants (@rantspakistani) February 23, 2025
Another one wrote: “True sportsmanship knows no boundaries. Virat Kohli helping a Pakistani player with his shoelace is a perfect example of respect, kindness, and the spirit of the game. Moments like these remind us that beyond rivalry, there’s humanity.”
However, the overall sentiment that Indians and Pakistanis shared after the first innings was that “the vibes are off”—the rivalry is now boring.
Let’s be honest, India-Pakistan cricket today feels… incomplete. This rivalry needs to go beyond these one-off ICC matches. Legends like Kohli & Rohit may retire without ever playing in Pakistan—how does that feel? A rivalry that once defined generations now survives on ICC…
— Korah Abraham (@thekorahabraham) February 23, 2025
i really fail to understand the hype around india vs pakistan anymore, chalo humaray end se theek hai rivalry ye wo india ko kya maza araha hai yaar aisi bakwas team ko maaray ja rahay hain itnay saalon se matlab boring hogaya hai same result everytime
— nma (@namaloomafraaad) February 23, 2025
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
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