Shehbaz Sharif Faces Backlash for Celebrating Pakistan's ODI Win Amid Economic Crisis

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's celebration of Pakistan's thrilling ODI victory over England has sparked significant criticism on social media. Many users have accused him of being out of touch with the country's pressing economic issues, questioning the appropriateness of his remarks amid rising inflation and political unrest. As Pakistan prepares for its final league match against Sri Lanka, the public's reaction highlights the disconnect between sports celebrations and the harsh realities faced by the nation. Explore the details of the match and the ensuing controversy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 26, 2026, 12:19 IST

Pakistan's Thrilling ODI Victory

On October 26, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif found himself at the center of criticism after celebrating the national cricket team's nail-biting one-wicket victory over England in an ODI tri-series match held at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

This win allowed Pakistan to secure a spot in the final of the ongoing ODI tri-series, which also includes Sri Lanka. Chasing a target of 242 runs, Shadab Khan's remarkable 113 runs and his unbeaten partnership of 89 runs for the last wicket with Haris Rauf (who scored 7 off 19 balls) clinched the match with 17 balls remaining.

England's bowlers, including Jamie Overton (3/43), Liam Dawson (2/30), and Gus Atkinson (2/62), had kept the pressure on Pakistan for most of the second innings. Despite reducing the home team to 154/9 in 33.5 overs, they could not break the resilient 10th-wicket partnership.

Shehbaz Sharif's Celebratory Remarks

Following the victory, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to his official X account (formerly Twitter) to express his joy over the team's success. He described the win as a demonstration of the team's grit and discipline.

Sharif also commended Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and an Interior Minister, for his role in revitalizing the team's performance and organizing international matches effectively.

In his tweet, he stated, "Heartiest congratulations to our boys on a superb win against England in Lahore. Every run, every wicket, and every catch showcased the grit, discipline, and fighting spirit that define Pakistan."

He further praised the last-wicket partnership between Shadab and Haris, calling Shadab's century spectacular and acknowledging the PCB chairman's efforts to enhance Pakistan cricket.

Public Reaction to the Celebration

However, the Prime Minister's congratulatory message was met with significant backlash on social media, particularly on X. Many users criticized him for appearing 'out of touch' with the realities of the country, which is currently grappling with severe inflation and political instability.

Critics pointed out that celebrating a league-stage victory seemed excessive, especially when the final match had yet to be played. Some users questioned the state of Pakistan's cricket infrastructure and the appropriateness of the Prime Minister's public celebration.

Comments included sarcastic remarks about the significance of the win, with one user stating, "Did Pakistan win the World Cup yesterday?" while others highlighted the ongoing economic challenges facing the nation.

Upcoming Matches

Pakistan is set to play its final league match of the ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka on October 27, before competing in the crucial final on October 30.