NEW DELHI: India cricket fans were left devastated and angry Thursday after seeing their team and their dreams of a T20 World Cup final against fierce rivals Pakistan crushed by England.
Chasing India’s 168-6 in the second T20 World Cup semifinal in Adelaide, England’s Alex Hales and Jos Buttler raced to their target with four overs to spare as they mounted an unbroken opening stand of 170.
One of the most one-sided matches in a World Cup knock-out phase was branded a “humiliating loss” by India’s CNaN News 18 TV channel.
Cricket is by far the most popular sport in India and matches between the national side and England always have an intensity given Britain’s colonial history.
“I don’t mind India losing: victory & defeat are part of sports. But I do mind India not showing up today,” Indian politician Shashi Tharoor tweeted.
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle tweeted the Indian team seemed like a different side between the group stage of the tournament and the knock-out phase.
“As one-sided as they get,” Bhogle said of the match.
India won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 but have failed to reach the final since 2014, and their qualification for the semifinal had raised hopes of finally repeating their early success.
Former Indian cricketer HarbHajjan Singh tweeted a broken heart emoticon while others on the platform suggested replacing current India coach Rahul Dravid.
“Sack Dravid, Rohit, Bhuvi, KLR, Axar, Ashwin from T20s. Get fresh blood and wrist spinners,” tweeted Twitter user GabbarSingh, demanding the departure of several of the players.
Fans had gathered at cafes and markets across India to watch the semifinal, hoping the team would win to set up a blockbuster final against Pakistan.
In the northern state of Punjab, lawyers in a district court requested judges to adjourn for the day so people could watch the semifinal, local media reports said, and the court agreed.
The defeat dominated headlines across Indian news publications as analysts called the loss “shocking,” while broadcaster NDTV blamed “over-dependence on aging stars” such as Virat Kohli.
Heartbreak for India fans after thrashing by England
https://arab.news/m8uqg
Heartbreak for India fans after thrashing by England
- One of the most one-sided matches in a World Cup knock-out phase was branded a "humiliating loss" by India's CNaN News 18 TV channel
- Cricket is by far the most popular sport in India
Pakistan promise final flourish as they await T20 World Cup fate
PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka: Fast bowler Salman Mirza vowed on Friday that Pakistan will finish the Super Eights with a flourish against already-eliminated Sri Lanka, whether or not they still have hopes of reaching the semifinals.
Pakistan need England to beat New Zealand handsomely in Colombo on Friday and then post a big victory of their own against Sri Lanka on Saturday to sneak into the final four on net run rate.
A New Zealand win will end Pakistan’s hopes, rendering the Sri Lanka clash in Kandy meaningless in terms of the tournament.
“It’s a critical situation as reaching the semifinal is not in our control,” Mirza told reporters
“But if we reach the semifinal we have the capability to do better,” Mirza said.
Pakistan’s campaign started on a nervy note with a three-wicket win in a thrilling last-over finish against the Netherlands before overcoming the United States and Namibia.
In between they lost heavily to India in a highly anticipated clash in Colombo.
Pakistan’s first Super Eight match against New Zealand was washed out in Colombo before they lost to England and Harry Brook’s sparkling century in Kandy on Tuesday.
“We needed to win the match against England and that defeat has given us this position,” said Mirza.
After Brook was dismissed near the end of England’s run chase, Pakistan hit back with two wickets in the penultimate over.
Mirza bowled the final over with three runs to defend and two wickets to take for victory but Jofra Archer hit the first ball for four.
“I had the opportunity to become a hero in the final over, but I couldn’t grab that one,” said Mirza.
“Such opportunities do not come your way every day. Had I taken two wickets we would have won that match, but it was not to be.”
