The Pakistan cricket team’s recent white-ball series against Australia saw a dramatic turn of events, with contrasting fortunes across the two formats. In the 50-over format, the Men in Green bounced back strongly after losing the first ODI. They clinched the second and third ODIs, securing a 2-1 victory in the series. However, the T20I series proved to be a different story altogether.
Australia dominated the Men in Green in the T20I series, registering comprehensive victories in all three matches and completing a series white wash. Pakistan’s performance, marked by inconsistent batting and misfiring bowling attacks, left much to be desired. The defeat marked a low point in Pakistan’s T20I campaign, but an incident from the final match in Hobart would soon overshadow the on-field results.
Fan asked to leave stadium over Imran Khan poster sparks debate
Meanwhile from the final T20I, a video involving a Pakistani fan quickly went viral. The incident, captured at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart, showed the being asked to leave the stadium after he was spotted waving posters of Imran Khan, the former cricketer and Prime Minister of Pakistan. In the footage, a security guard was spotted asking the fan to either hand over the poster or leave the stadium, leading to a brief but heated exchange between the two.
Despite the fan’s refusal to surrender the poster, the situation escalated, resulting in a heated exchange. The viral video quickly sparked discussions on social media platforms, with many questioning the limits of expression at sporting events. The incident raised concerns about the right to display political symbols or personal beliefs in a public setting, especially in international sporting events.
Here is the video:
It seems like posters of Imran Khan holding the 1992 World Cup Trophy are banned at Australian cricket grounds.
Absolutely ridiculous.#AUSVPAK #Cricket pic.twitter.com/zaYj9dkbnX
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) November 20, 2024
Also WATCH: AUS vs PAK – Babar Azam fiercely glares at Pakistan fans shouting at him
Pakistan eye ICC Champions Trophy 2025 amid tensions with India
Looking forward, Pakistan are setting their sights on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which they will host for the first time in nearly two decades. However, the prospect of an India-Pakistan encounter during the tournament has been clouded by political tensions. India have already made it clear that they will not travel to Pakistan for the prestigious event, citing safety concerns and diplomatic issues between the two nations. This refusal has created a standoff situation, further complicating the tournament’s planning and format.
It would be interesting to see whether the ICC opts for a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Not to mention, a hybrid model would potentially allow matches to be hosted in neutral venues, mitigating the challenges posed by India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns.