ISLAMABAD: Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell’s hurricane double ton on Tuesday night delivered a knock-out blow to Afghanistan but also revived Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup semifinals, which was aptly reflected in various hilarious memes that did the rounds on social media after the match ended.
Reeling at 91-7 in chase of Afghanistan’s 292-run target, Maxwell’s unbeaten 201-run innings from 128 balls helped Australia win the match by three wickets and helped the five-time world champions qualify for the semifinals. The Aussie victory also meant Pakistan’s chances to qualify for the semifinals of the World Cup remained alive, as Afghanistan were kept from securing 10 points and moving to the number four spot in the World Cup points table.
Australia’s win was even more delightful for Pakistani fans owing to Pakistan’s intense cricket rivalry with Afghanistan, fueled by political animosity between the two countries over the years. Pakistan’s move to deport thousands of undocumented Afghan nationals has further fueled political tensions between the two countries and even led to some Afghan cricketers dedicating their victories to refugees who were forced to return to their homeland by Pakistan.
Pakistani fans, known for their knack for sharing hilarious memes every time a seismic cricket event unfolds, didn’t disappoint this time either.
One Twitter user hilariously captured the sentiments of Pakistani fans after Maxwell hit the winning six to keep Pakistan alive in the tournament by sharing a video on social media platform X.
Another Twitter account @mayogarlic posted an excerpt from the speech of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif expressing his love for his supporters.
“Pakistanis to Maxwell,” read the caption.
The phrase ‘Qudrat Ka Nizam’ (nature taking its course) has been referenced ever since former Pakistan head coach Saqlain Mushtaq used it in a media interaction last year.
Over time, it has come to define Pakistan cricket coming back from obscurity— helped by other factors such as weather conditions and other teams’ failures— to perform outstandingly well in tournaments.
Here’s a Qudrat Ka Nizam meme for you.
And another, this time featuring a snippet from a famous Bollywood movie.
Maxwell’s cramps were also used by a Pakistani supporter as a meme. A meme that went viral on social media showed the Australian batter lying down as he struggled with a thigh strain, with the caption reading:
“You’ll have to go over my dead body to eliminate Pakistan.”
All jokes aside, Pakistan play England on Nov. 11 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. To secure a spot in the semifinals, the green shirts need to beat England and hope Sri Lanka defeat New Zealand on Thursday in Bangalore.
Or with rain clouds looming over Bangalore on Thursday, Pakistani fans will be hoping New Zealand are denied a win courtesy of a washout, or as they say, ‘Qudrat Ka Nizam.’
