—— Writer predicts those with tickets to Pakistan-India match will now sell them at ‘half the price’
DM Monitoring
ISLAMABAD: Prominent writer, satirist and host, Anwar Maqsood, revealed a unique reason for Pakistan’s shocking defeat at the hands of America in the T20 World Cup, saying it must be an International Monetary Fund (IMF) condition.
In yesterday’s T20 World Cup 2024 match at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, the tournament witnessed a major upset as the United States (US) defeated Pakistan, shocking fans in Pakistan who are now expressing their anger and frustration at the dismal performance.
Maqsood’s video is going viral on social media in which he is asked what he would say about losing to the US. The writer said that Pakistan had no choice but to lose to America because we need a loan from the IMF, which we haven’t received yet.
He quipped that the IMF must have put a condition on Pakistan to lose against America in the match to receive a new package. Apart from this, he couldn’t think of any other reason for the defeat. He further commented that those who have bought the tickets for the upcoming Pakistan-India match on Sunday will now sell them at half the price.
Meanwhile, humorous memes about the national team are circulating on social media, and notable personalities from the entertainment industry are also offering interesting reactions to Pakistan’s loss.
Earlier, In a thrilling encounter at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas on Thursday, the USA caused the first upset of the T20 World Cup 2024 by defeating Pakistan in the Super Over. Defending a 19-run target, the hosts restricted Pakistan to 13/1 in the Super Over, securing their second victory in the tournament and topping Group A with four points.
Chasing a modest 160-run target, the USA lost opener Steven Tayler for 12 in the sixth over, but captain Monank Patel and Andries Gous anchored their side’s chase with a crucial 68-run partnership. Despite setbacks, newcomers Aaron Jones and Nitish Kumar fought valiantly, leveling the score with a final-ball boundary.
Haris Rauf bowled out Andries Gous for 35 off 26 while Muhammad Amir caught behind US Captain Monank Patel at the start of the 15th over with the score at 111-3.
Patel led his side through the first half of their innings in great style, scoring a crucial half century in just 38 deliveries.
At the end of the first innings, Pakistan had managed to post 159-7 on the board.
All-rounder Shaheen Shah Afridi came to the batters’ rescue by taking on the US bowling attack in the last couple of overs with a decent contribution of 23 off 16 balls after Shadab Khan’s attempts to counterattack failed as he succumbed to the wrath of the US spin attack for 40 off 25.
Captain Babar Azam looked to stabilize the innings by raining boundaries, however, the skipper finally lost the battle against US seamers, departing for 44 off 43 balls.
Mohammad Rizwan fell early to Saurabh Netravalkar’s delivery, caught by Steven Taylor in slips, while Usman Khan was caught by Nitish Kumar off Nosthush Kenjige’s bowling. Fakhar Zaman followed suit, departing after a mistimed shot.
US won the toss and chose to field first in the T20 World Cup match at Dallas’ Grand Prairie Stadium. The co-hosts, coming off a victory against arch-rivals Canada, faced Pakistan in their opening Group A encounter.
