Cricket fraternity stunned, fans in dejection as Pakistan loses to Afghanistan

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Pakistan suffered a devastating eight-wicket loss to Afghanistan in ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 in Chennai on Monday.

The cricket fraternity, including former cricketers, commentators and fans, has reacted strongly to Pakistan's unexpected defeat. Criticisms have been directed at the team's planning, bowling performance, and captaincy decisions.

Former Pakistan cricketer and commentator Urooj Mumtaz Khan took to 'X' (formerly known as Twitter) to express her concerns about Pakistan's performance, stating that the game highlighted the glaring issues in various aspects of Pakistan cricket.

"This game is a true reflection of the reality of Pakistan Cricket. Pakistan have glaring concerns in all facets of the game, which have been repeatedly highlighted since the Asia Cup if not earlier. In order to be real contenders for the WorldCup, this show from 🇵🇰 simple wont cut it, irrespective of rankings & ratings. An overhaul in mindset, approach & personnel. Honest self-reflection, assessment & accountability must follow," Urooj wrote on X.

This game is a true reflection of the reality of Pakistan Cricket.

Pakistan have glaring concerns in all facets of the game, which have been repeatedly highlighted since the Asia Cup if not earlier.

In order to be real contenders for the WorldCup, this show from 🇵🇰 simple wont…

— Urooj Mumtaz Khan (@uroojmumtazkhan) October 23, 2023

Renowned cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle shared his views on Pakistan's bowling performance, describing it as "insipid". He also criticized the team's fielding, describing it as embarrassing, which is unusual for Pakistan's standards.

"I didn't think I would say this but Pakistan's bowling has been insipid; like it has been defanged. Not one bowler had any bite to him. And the team will be the first to admit the fielding was embarrassing. I have rarely, if ever, seen Pakistan's bowling as ineffective," Bhogle wrote on X.

I didn't think I would say this but Pakistan's bowling has been insipid; like it has been defanged. Not one bowler had any bite to him. And the team will be the first to admit the fielding was embarrassing. I have rarely, if ever, seen Pakistan's bowling as ineffective.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 23, 2023

Former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal congratulated Afghanistan on their historic win, acknowledging that Afghanistan outperformed Pakistan in all aspects of the game. He criticized Pakistan's bowling and fielding.

"Congratulations Afghanistan 🇦🇫 on a Historical Win. Afg was better than Pakistan 🇵🇰  in all aspects of the Game today. Our bowling was not okay and fielding was absolutely pathetic. No hunger to win. Afghanistan deserved it honestly," Ajmal wrote on X.

Congratulations Afghanistan 🇦🇫 on a Historical Win👏🏼 Afg was better than Pakistan 🇵🇰 in all aspects of the Game today. Our bowling was not okay and fielding was absolutely pathetic. No hunger to win.

Afghanistan deserved it honestly 👏🏼#AFGvPAK #WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/Ih7mZzOHAs

— Saeed Ajmal (@REALsaeedajmal) October 23, 2023

Former chief selector, Muhammad Wasim, highlighted the dangers of unwillingness to learn from mistakes, suggesting that this may have played a role in Pakistan's defeat.

"Stubbornness, when it leads to an unwillingness to adapt or learn from mistakes, a key factor in failure.," Wasim wrote on X.

Stubbornness, when it leads to an unwillingness to adapt or learn from mistakes, a key factor in failure. #PAKvsAFG #WorldCup2023

— Muhammad Wasim (@MuhammadWasim77) October 23, 2023

Fans also reacted to team's upset loss to Afghanistan which left them feeling dejected and disappointed.

The Pakistan Cricket Team has failed. No excuses, no justifications. The board, the coaches, the trainers, the Captain and the players, they all failed! pic.twitter.com/0loUt7VPx6

— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) October 23, 2023

Are you happy with the captaincy of Babar Azam?

— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) October 23, 2023

PAKISTAN CRICKET IS DEAD! I AM NOT SUPPORTING THIS TEAM ANYMORE. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 #CWC23 #PAKvsAFG

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 23, 2023

Standing on the verge of elimination with just two wins in five matches, Pakistan will next face South Africa in Chennai on Friday.