Why Pakistani Fans Rejoiced Afghanistan's Defeat to Australia With Sigh of Relief and Memes

A Glenn Maxwell brilliance against Afghanistan powered Australia through to the semi-finals in the ICC World Cup 2023 on Tuesday. Afghanistan were on a brink of creating history after they reduced the 5-time champions to 91/7 who were chasing 292. This made fans of New Zealand and Pakistan teams really nervous but Maxwell was there to save the day with his unfathomable 201* that propelled Australia to an unlikely victory at the Wankhede.

The win took Australia to 12 points ensuring that none of the teams below them on the points table could jeopardise their spot for the next round. But an Afghanistan defeat has now restricted them to 8 points. Both New Zealand and Pakistan share 8 points each, however their Net Run Rates are superior than Afghanistan. The Kiwis have +0.398 NRR, while Pakistan are further behind with +0.036. Afghanistan have the worst NRR among all three, at -0.338.

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Why Pakistan fans are relieved

From almost crashing out of the World Cup to now fighting for the semi-finals spot, Babar Azam’s men have covered quite a distance but their job is half done. Pakistan take on England next and will look to grab two points with both hands. Babar Azam & Co. will also hope that New Zealand and Afghanistan lose their final group games.

Australia’s win over Afghanistan has put three nations in an exciting battle for the semis, the possible scenarios can be read here. Had Australia lost to Afghanistan, it would have made it all the more challenging for Pakistan team, pitting four teams against each other for the next round.

Pakistan cricket fans sensed that and celebrated Afghanistan’s defeat with a sigh of relief, and understandably so.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan now find themselves in a tricky spot as they will face South Africa in their final group game. Having the worst NRR among all three chasing teams, a win over the Proteas won’t automatically guarantee them the ticket for next round.