Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif Trolled After Calling Win Over Australia “Electrifying”

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif found himself at the centre of social media trolling after congratulating the national cricket team for its victory over Australia in the first T20 International. Sharif described Pakistan’s 22-run win as an “electrifying performance,” a remark that quickly drew sharp criticism from cricket experts and fans alike.

Soon after the match, the Prime Minister took to X (formerly Twitter) to praise the team and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) leadership. “Well done Team Pakistan on an electrifying performance against Australia in the first T20I. I also commend PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and the entire team for their tireless efforts to strengthen Pakistan cricket. A moment of pride for the nation,” Sharif wrote.

However, the tweet backfired as social media users — including Pakistani fans — questioned the scale of celebration, pointing out that Australia fielded a significantly weakened side. Many critics argued that calling the performance “electrifying” was an exaggeration, given the context of the match.

Former Indian cricketer and noted cricket analyst Aakash Chopra joined the debate, offering a blunt assessment. “With due respect, this was a bilateral T20I against Australia’s B team. Several key players were missing. Winning by around 20 runs in a 170-run match can hardly be termed extraordinary,” Chopra remarked, indirectly taking a dig at the Prime Minister’s enthusiasm.

Pakistan had posted 168 runs for eight wickets in 20 overs and restricted Australia to 146 for eight. The visiting side is touring Pakistan as part of its preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026, but several senior players were unavailable. Regular captain Mitchell Marsh missed the match due to late arrival, while Travis Head led the side. Pat Cummins was ruled out due to injury, Josh Hazlewood was rested, and players like Glenn Maxwell, Tim David and Nathan Ellis were unavailable due to workload management and scheduling commitments.

The controversy once again highlighted how political commentary on sports performances can quickly spiral into public scrutiny, especially in the age of social media, where fans and experts dissect every word in real time.