Pakistan's cricket team kicked off their T20I series against Australia with a gritty 20-run victory at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on January 30, 2026. But the real fireworks happened off the field. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's congratulatory tweet calling it an "electrifying" win has gone viral—for all the wrong reasons. Shehbaz Sharif trolled online as fans and Indian cricket legends like Aakash Chopra and Ajay Jadeja piled on the mockery.
Pakistan's Series Opener: A Solid Start
Batting first, Pakistan posted 170 runs, powered by a strong middle-order show. Australia fell short chasing the target, handing Pakistan a morale-boosting win. PM Shehbaz Sharif wasted no time tweeting his praise: "Well done Team Pakistan for an electrifying performance against Australia in the first T20I. I also appreciate Chairman PCB @MohsinnaqviC42 and his entire team for their tireless efforts in strengthening Pakistan cricket. Proud moment for the nation."
The post aimed to rally national pride ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2026, where Pakistan faces the Netherlands on February 7 at Sri Lanka's SSC. But in cricket-crazy South Asia, timing and context matter.
Aakash Chopra, Ajay Jadeja Mock the 'Proud Moment'
Indian commentator Aakash Chopra didn't hold back. Replying sharply, he wrote: "With due respect…it’s a bilateral T20I against Australia’s B team. Many main players have given it a miss. And a 20-run win in a 170 run game can’t possibly qualify as ‘electrifying’ 🫣." His take highlighted Australia's depleted squad, turning the PM's hype into comic relief.
Ajay Jadeja joined the fun: "Pakistani-yo ki choti choti Khushiya 😄. First time seeing a PM's tweet after winning the 1st match of a bilateral series 😂. Carry on Sir 😆." The jabs struck a chord, amplifying the buzz on X (formerly Twitter).
Fans Flood Social Media with Trolling
Shehbaz Sharif trolled reached fever pitch as Pakistani and Indian fans unleashed memes and sarcasm. Comments ranged from "Electrifying? Lights went out in Lahore!" to "PM celebrating B-team win like World Cup final." The frenzy underscores cricket's role in Indo-Pak rivalry, especially with Pakistan T20I win Australia fueling World Cup hype.
Why now? As ICC T20 World Cup 2026 nears, every match feels like a statement. Pakistan eyes redemption after recent struggles, but over-the-top reactions risk overshadowing real progress under PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi.
What This Means for Pakistan Cricket
This viral moment offers takeaways: Leaders should match words to context in high-stakes cricket. For fans, it's a reminder to celebrate wins without hype overload. Pakistan shifts to World Cup prep—can they channel this energy positively?
