ISLAMABAD – Disappointed cricket fans on Wednesday blamed a sluggish Misbah-ul-Haq for defeat in the World Cup semi-final thriller with arch-rival India.
“We lost because of Misbah, as he did not score well when it was most required,” angry fan Awais Shakir told AFP on Islamabad’s main Jinnah Avenue as thousands of disappointed fans were leaving for home. “He just wasted time on the pitch.” Fans in other Pakistani cities which ground to a halt for the game also criticised Misbah, who scored a lacklustre 56 from 76 balls.
His slow play pushed the Pakistan towards defeat before the 50th over. In Karachi, engineer Mohammad Ali said: “It was a great contest all along and the day belonged to India. However Misbah and Younis Khan were very lazy.” By the evening all major roads in several Pakistani cities were gridlocked with cars, motorcycles and jubilant revellers, but the festive atmosphere gradually turned tense as Pakistani batting line began to fall before India.
Power cuts sparked protests by hundreds of angry spectators who blocked a main highway in Muzaffarabad. The govt had declared a half-day holiday in offices and schools to enable cricket-mad population to enjoy the game. Special prayers were offered in mosques and at homes, and people recited verses from the Koran, praying to Allah to guide the Pakistani team to victory.
Motorists listened to the commentary on their car radios and shouted out the latest score to passers-by at a busy intersection in Islamabad. Excitement reached fever pitch as shopkeepers flogged green T-shirts, caps and souvenirs, and social networking sites Facebook and Twitter buzzed with comments on the wickets’ falls and player’s performance – and prayers for the Pakistan squad.
Young people were seen wearing the green T-shirts of the Pakistani squad, their faces painted in the nation’s green and white, in the northwestern city of Peshawar, while large national flags flew from buildings, houses and cars.
