India’s 76-run defeat to South Africa in the T20 World Cup has triggered reactions far beyond the scoreboard.
At 187/7, powered by David Miller’s 63 off 35, Dewald Brevis’ 45 off 29 and Tristan Stubbs’ unbeaten 44 off 24, South Africa laid down a marker. India, in reply, collapsed to 111 in 19 overs despite Shivam Dube’s 42 off 37. Marco Jansen’s 4/22, Keshav Maharaj’s 3/24 and Corbin Bosch’s 2/12 sealed the rout, with Jasprit Bumrah’s three wickets ultimately preventing an even steeper total.
But while the cricket unfolded in the middle, the noise around it grew louder across television studios and social media.
Pakistani studios revel in the result
On Geo News’ comedy-cricket show Haarna Mana Hai, host Tabish Hashmi set the tone immediately after the result.
“In India vs South Africa, South Africa outclassed India on the field. That is exactly what the Pakistani team has not been able to do, yet our panellists are doing it sitting in Lahore,” Tabish Hashmi said on Geo News’ show Haarna Mana Hai.
He then leaned into a running joke surrounding Mohammad Amir’s earlier criticism of Abhishek Sharma.
“We will talk to our panel about this. As the saying goes, ‘Na mohabbat me na pyar me, jo maza hai India ki haar me (The joy in love or romance is nothing when compared to the joy felt in India’s defeat). With us is Pakistan’s well-known panellist, astrologer, cricketer and left-arm pace bowler, Mohammad Aamir,” Tabish Hashmi said while introducing Mohammad Amir on Haarna Mana Hai.
Amir, laughing at the “astrologer” tag, responded, “Kya bana dia mujhe. Allah maaf kare, tauba tauba (What have you turned me into? May Allah forgive me),” Mohammad Amir said on Haarna Mana Hai.
Hashmi also reminded viewers of Amir’s earlier remarks about India’s campaign trajectory.
“Mohammad Aamir says that Abhishek is a slogger. After that comment, Abhishek has not been able to return to form in the tournament. Then, he said India would not play the semi-final. Today, it looked like India were actually following Aamir’s prediction and may not play the semifinal,” Tabish Hashmi added.
Respect, criticism and the line between them
Back on Haarna Mana Hai, Amir defended his comments as technical rather than personal.
“Sitting here, we have always praised the Indian team when they played well. I told you yesterday, too, that we should respect opinions. The kind of opinions they share, and even the activities on their social media, use very bad language. They don’t just give opinions, they abuse in the name of Pakistan and use openly bad language,” Mohammad Amir stated.
He doubled down on his cricketing framing. “Tell me, have we ever used bad language for the Indian team? I am talking in cricketing terms. If a player does not know forward defence, what should I call him? In cricketing language, what do you call a batter who cannot come on the line and block the ball? Please explain that in cricketing terms,” Mohammad Amir added.
He also added a broader view of the matchup itself: “Learn to respect opinions. A hundred people can have a hundred different opinions. Even in one household, eight people think differently. We have played cricket. We are speaking in a cricketing sense. At this moment, from what I understand, the way India and South Africa are playing, I feel South Africa are better,” Mohammad Amir said on Haarna Mana Hai.
Hashmi echoed the appeal for civility. “We respect Indian cricketers because they played well and retired with honour. But, when you go personal, like calling our cricket a ‘fixer’, or calling our country ‘Porkistan’ or ‘Bhikharistan’, that does not suit you. Counter our analysis with facts, figures, arguments and logic. That would look better,” Tabish Hashmi said.
He went on: “So please, show respect to one another’s arguments. We have never gone personal about you. We do not make personal comments,” Tabish Hashmi continued.
Recalling Rohit Sharma once calling Amir an “ordinary bowler,” the host noted, “And, he gave his response on the ground by getting him out twice,” while Amir maintained, “In reply, I called him a world-class batter,” referring to Rohit Sharma.
Selection under scrutiny
Ahmed Shehzad questioned India’s team combination, especially the exclusion of Kuldeep Yadav.
“After Varun Chakaravarthy got smacked, Shivam Dube had to be called into the attack. He bowled two dot balls, still the over went for 15. On Indian grounds, it is very hard to contain the batters. India’s bowling attack is not complete; they still aren’t playing Kuldeep Yadav. You need to bless Jasprit Bumrah; he single-handedly ensured that South Africa didn’t go beyond 200,” Ahmed Shehzad said on the show Haarna Mana Hai.
He also turned attention toward the think tank. “Gautam Gambhir is the one who is doing all the planning. So I think they need to reconsider their strategy. India are one of the favourites for the World Cup, but if they continue to field this XI, it would be difficult for them to qualify for the semi-finals,” Ahmed Shehzad added.
Amir concluded with a broader point on team balance. “It doesn’t matter how big a team you are, you won’t be able to get on the winning ways against the bigger teams unless and until you play the right combination,” Mohammad Amir said on Haarna Mana Hai.
