Irfan Pathan Critiques Pakistan's 'Troll Media' Amid T20 World Cup Drama
Pathan Criticizes 'Troll Media' for Adding Pressure on Pakistan
As Pakistan's hopes of advancing to the T20 World Cup semifinals dwindle, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has voiced his concerns about the country's 'troll media.' He accused them of placing immense pressure on the players, highlighting their tendency to mock India during losses while vanishing when their own team falters.
Currently, Pakistan has only one point from two matches, following a washout against New Zealand. A victory against Sri Lanka in their next game could potentially bring them to three points, but they are reliant on other teams' outcomes and weather conditions for a chance to progress. England has already secured a semifinal spot with four points, leaving New Zealand and Sri Lanka in contention with two matches remaining.
In a post on X, Pathan remarked, 'This Pakistan team struggles under pressure. Their challenges are exacerbated by their own troll media, which fails to genuinely support the team and instead adds to the pressure. They seek 'reach' and flood Indian social media when India loses, but disappear when their own team faces defeat.'
Harry Brook's Century Earns Praise
In contrast, Harry Brook's remarkable century while batting at number three has garnered widespread acclaim. Former England captain Michael Vaughan described it as the best strategic decision made by England in the tournament.
Vaughan tweeted, 'Harry B to no 3 is the best move of the tournament so far by England .. .. #icct20worldcup2026.'
Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif also acknowledged how Brook's performance shifted England's fortunes, stating, 'Harry Brook demonstrates how a captain can alter a team's destiny. After nearly losing to Nepal and Italy, he promoted himself to No. 3, scored his first T20 hundred, and led England to the semifinals. What a match to showcase your talent!'
Kevin Pietersen, another former England player, simply tweeted, 'Harry Brook - freak.'
England Secures Semifinal Position
In the match, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first. Sahibzada Farhan scored 63 runs off 45 balls, supported by contributions from Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman (25 runs off 16 balls), and Shadab Khan (23 runs off 11 balls), leading Pakistan to a total of 164/9.
England's bowlers, including Liam Dawson (3/24) and Jofra Archer (2/32), delivered impressive performances. During the chase, Shaheen Shah Afridi (4/30) put England in a tough spot at 58/4, but Brook's century (100 runs off 51 balls) helped secure the win with two wickets remaining.