🇵🇰 Frustration Boils Over as Pakistan Fans Slam Batting Collapse Against India
🏏 Overview of the Match
Pakistan suffered a devastating batting collapse against India in their Asia Cup 2025 Group A encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 14, 2025. After being asked to bat first, Pakistan was reduced to 90/7 in the 17th over before a late cameo from Shaheen Shah Afridi (33* off 16 balls) helped them reach a below-par 127/9 in 20 overs. India’s spinners, particularly Kuldeep Yadav (3/18) and Axar Patel (2/18), dominated the proceedings, leading to widespread criticism from Pakistani fans and experts alike .
😠 Key Reasons for Fan Frustration
1. Top-Order Failure
Pakistan’s top order crumbled under pressure, with Saim Ayub dismissed on the very first ball of the match for a duck, continuing his poor run of form .
Mohammad Haris (3 off 5 balls) and Fakhar Zaman (17 off 15 balls) fell cheaply, leaving Pakistan at 42/2 after the powerplay .
Captain Salman Ali Agha managed only 3 runs off 12 balls, further exacerbating the collapse .
2. Spin Vulnerability
Pakistan’s batters appeared clueless against India’s spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy, who collectively took 6 wickets while conceding only 60 runs in 12 overs .
The middle order, including Hasan Nawaz (5 off 7) and Mohammad Nawaz (0 off 1), fell in quick succession, with Kuldeep Yadav taking two wickets in two balls .
3. Lack of Intent and Poor Shot Selection
Fans criticized the batters for their lack of intent and poor shot selection, particularly against spin .
Sahibzada Farhan (40 off 44 balls) was the lone exception, but his slow strike rate (90.91) was deemed insufficient for building a competitive total .
📉 Fan Reactions and Criticism
1. Social Media Outrage
Pakistani fans took to social media to express their disappointment, with many calling the batting performance “embarrassing” and “unacceptable” .
Hashtags like #ShameOnPCB and #PakistanCrisis trended on Twitter, with fans demanding accountability from the team management .
2. Expert Commentary
Former cricketer Nikhil Chopra had earlier called Pakistan a “below-average side with bat and ball,” a sentiment that resonated with fans after the collapse .
Kris Srikkanth added that Pakistan’s bowling attack, including Shaheen Afridi, was “nothing deadly” and criticized coach Mike Hesson’s influence on the team’s aggressive but reckless approach .
3. Comparisons to Past Teams
Fans and experts contrasted the current team with Pakistan’s iconic 1990s squad, noting that today’s players lack the household recognition and skill of their predecessors .
The absence of star players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan was felt acutely, with many questioning the decision to rebuild the team ahead of a high-stakes tournament .
📊 Pakistan’s Batting Collapse: Key Statistics
Table: Summary of Pakistan’s batting performance against India
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Fall of Wicket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saim Ayub | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1-1 (0.1 ov) |
| Sahibzada Farhan | 40 | 44 | 1 | 3 | 90.91 | 83-7 (16.1 ov) |
| Mohammad Haris | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 | 6-2 (1.2 ov) |
| Fakhar Zaman | 17 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 113.33 | 45-3 (7.4 ov) |
| Salman Ali Agha | 3 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 | 49-4 (9.6 ov) |
| Hasan Nawaz | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 71.43 | 64-5 (12.4 ov) |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 64-6 (12.5 ov) |
| Faheem Ashraf | 11 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 78.57 | 97-8 (17.4 ov) |
| Shaheen Afridi | 33* | 16 | 0 | 4 | 206.25 | – |
| Sufiyan Muqeem | 10 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 166.67 | 111-9 (18.6 ov) |
🌍 Broader Context: Political Tensions and Performance Pressure
The match occurred amid heightened political tensions between India and Pakistan following a four-day military conflict in May 2025 and the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 .
Pakistani fans felt additional pressure to perform well against India, making the collapse even more disappointing .
The absence of bilateral cricket between the two nations meant that this match was a rare opportunity for Pakistan to assert its cricketing prowess, which further amplified the frustration .
💔 Impact on Pakistan’s Asia Cup Campaign
The loss to India has put Pakistan’s Super Four qualification in jeopardy, especially if they fail to win their remaining group matches .
The batting collapse has exposed deep-rooted issues in Pakistan’s white-ball cricket setup, including a lack of consistency and mental fragility in high-pressure games .
📢 Calls for Change
Fans and experts have called for immediate changes in the team, including:
Reinstating experienced players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to stabilize the batting lineup .
Reevaluating the coaching staff, particularly head coach Mike Hesson, whose aggressive philosophy has been criticized for promoting reckless batting .
Improving spin preparedness through specialized training camps and better selection of spin-friendly players .
📌 Conclusion
Pakistan’s batting collapse against India has ignited fierce criticism from fans and experts, highlighting the team’s vulnerabilities in high-stakes matches. While Shaheen Afridi’s late cameo provided a glimmer of hope, the overall performance was deemed unacceptable and indicative of deeper issues within Pakistani cricket.
