Men in green praised despite heartbreaking T20WC final defeat | The Express Tribune

Pakistani politicians both from the ruling coalition and opposition praised Pakistan cricket team despite a heartbreaking defeat against England in the final of Twenty20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Thirty years after losing the 50-over World Cup final to Pakistan at the MCG, England turned the tables with brilliant death bowling and with Stokes finishing on 52 not out in a chase of 138 for victory.

England became the first nation to hold both global white ball titles, having won the 50-over World Cup on home soil in 2019.

Pakistan will wonder what might have been, with talismanic paceman Shaheen Afridi breaking down with injury and leaving the field after catching Harry Brook for 20 in the deep.

He returned to bowl one dot ball but could not go on, and it proved a turning point as Stokes and Moeen Ali (19) pushed England well ahead of the required run-rate in an attack on the bowlers.

With Afridi injured, Iftikhar had to bowl out his over and conceded 13 runs, with Stokes smashing a four and a six in consecutive balls to put England back in command.

Stokes and Moeen then combined to carry England to victory, with Liam Livingstone adding one run after Moeen was bowled out in the 19th over, as Buttler’s team again staked their claim as the pre-eminent superpower of white ball cricket.

Read more: Stokes, Curran star as England beat Pakistan to win T20 World Cup

Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that team Pakistan fought hard and brave but England played better cricket on the day.

“We are proud of our boys in green for making it to the final match of this mega tournament,” he wrote.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Asad Umar also praised Pakistan, saying the men in green played a very good tournament.

“Congratulations England. Pakistan played a very good tournament but in the end the best limited overs team in the world won the world cup #T20WorldCup2022,” he said.

PTI leader Shireen Mazari also lauded the fighting spirit of the team.

“Congratulations England for a match well played & well done Team Pakistan for fighting till the very end,” she added.

PTI leader Chaudhry Fawad Hussain admired the effort of the Pakistani team for putting up a valiant effort despite meagre total.

“Thank you Team Pak for putting up a real hard effort specially Bowlers #HarrisRauf and fielding was beyond expectations hard luck but no worries great game of cricket,” he said.

PTI, on its official Twitter handle, asked the fans to be proud of Pakistan’s performance.

“Let’s be proud of our brilliant team! Hard luck today but Pakistan has put a brilliant and fantastic fight today. Pakistan is proud of them!,” it wrote.

PML-N too thanked the men in green for their amazing performances throughout the World Cup.

“Thank you Shaheens for the amazing moments in this World Cup. You played like champions and for us, you always will be champions,” it said.