‘No 1 team ke maje le rhe bhai’ – Fans react as former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan taunts Pakistan after Asia Cup 2023 elimination

World No. 1 ODI team, led by World No. 1 ODI batter, Pakistan entered the Asia Cup 2023 as a dominant force. In their opening game against Nepal, where they won by a massive 238 runs, and in the second match against India, which was washed out after the first innings, Babar Azam and Co. looked a dangerous side. However, things quickly took a turn for the tournament co-host as they were kicked out of the event following a poor showing in the Super Fours.

Pakistan lost to India by 228 runs, so Thursday’s match against Sri Lanka was do-or-die for the Men in Green. However, Sri Lanka advanced to the final of the Asia Cup for the second time in a row as they overcame the 252-run target set by Pakistan in 42 overs in a rain-curtailed thrilling encounter. Fans have been eagerly waiting to witness the first-ever IND-PAK Asia Cup final, but it was Sri Lanka who booked their berth to lock horns with India on September 17 in Colombo.

However, former India cricketer Irfan Pathan feels that the India-Sri Lanka final will be good as it will not be a one-sided affair. The 2007 T20 World Cup winner took a dig at arch-rivals with a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday following Pakistan’s exit from the 16th edition of the continental event. His tweet drew a lot of attention from Indian and Pakistani fans, who expressed their opinions on Pathan’s remark.

“Playing finals against Sri Lanka will be better for team India as it won’t be a one-sided affair,” the former India all-rounder posted on ‘X’.

Pakistan lost their sharpness at the halfway mark

Notably, Pathan’s statement makes sense as India completely dominated Pakistan in their Super Fours match. India posted a mammoth total of 356 runs on the back of fine centuries by Virat Kohli (122*) and KL Rahul (111*). In reply, Pakistan batters failed to find any resistance as they bundled out for just 128 on the reserve day. Kuldeep Yadav, who finished with a four-wicket haul, was the main destroyer.

On the other hand, although Rohit Sharma and Co. managed to defeat Sri Lanka in the Super Fours, the hosts put up a fighting performance before losing by 41 runs.

Here’s how fans reacted to Irfan Pathan’s remark: 

https://twitter.com/RiyaGogoiAssam/status/1702591332999733302