Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's Tri-Series Celebration Triggers Social Media Frenzy

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif; (right) Pakistan cricket team© AFP

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is once again the target of social media criticism. And yet again, it is for a post on X about the Pakistan cricket team. On Saturday, Fakhar Zaman overcame a bruised knee and a lean run of form to score 127 and lead Pakistan past Sri Lanka by three wickets in the final of the ODI tri-series. Zaman's entertaining 12th ODI hundred, along with man-of-the-series Arafat Minhas' robust 61 off 31 balls, took Pakistan to a winning total of 331/7 in 48.3 overs while chasing a target of 326.

After the win, Sharif congratulated the team on social media.

"Congratulations, Pakistan! A historic victory over Sri Lanka in the Tri-Series Final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore! An outstanding century by Fakhar Zaman, followed by a magnificent partnership between two promising young talents, Arafat Minhas and Hassan Nawaz. Excellent arrangements and a wonderful display of teamwork and determination," he wrote on X.

"My felicitations to the players, the coaching staff, the Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi and, above all, the millions of passionate fans who stood behind the team. Wishing Pakistan cricket many more such triumphs."

Some social media users were quick to draw a comparison with his earlier post in which he congratulated Pakistan for beating India. While any India-Pakistan contest draws widespread attention, the Hong Kong Sixes is neither a global tournament nor a continental event like the Asia Cup. Therefore, such praise from a senior politician for a victory in the Hong Kong Sixes drew intriguing reactions on social media. Notably, India have held the upper hand over Pakistan in recent Asia Cup meetings. In World Cups too, barring a defeat in 2021, India have won all the other contests.

Sharif was trolled for the post.

@CMShehbaz We win the series it's good, but That's embarrassing sir it's just a series not a tournament & you are tweeting on irrelevant tournament & useless series.

— Abdullah (@Abdullahhhh_56) October 31, 2026

@CMShehbaz Naah, not even 1% close to Hong Kong Super 6 achievement

— Udit (@udit_buch) November 1, 2026

@CMShehbaz @GovtofPakistan Its a useless tri series. We all know you are a useless rubber stamp but pls have some self respect

— HassanK.🇵🇰 (@hassanrk) October 31, 2026

@CMShehbaz You're a sitting pm but don't have any power other than tweeting about cricket match Form 47🤡 https://t.co/ht8cWf7vrV

— Yash (@yt05_) October 31, 2026

Talking about the tri-series final, Zaman came into the match with only 31 runs in his previous four innings and had spent most of the time in the dressing room after injuring his right knee while fielding.

Pakistan lost Maaz Sadaqat for 5 and Babar Azam for a five-ball duck, much to the disappointment of the 31,265 home fans at Gaddafi Stadium. However, Zaman revived the chase with 19-year-old Saad Baig, who scored 74 off 75 balls. The pair stitched together a 149-run partnership at better than a run a ball against a scrappy Sri Lankan bowling attack.

Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana, making his first appearance in the tri-series, missed the chance to dismiss Zaman on 69 and 106 when he failed to hold on to return catches. Theekshana dropped Zaman again, this time a sitter on the boundary, after he had reached his century off 84 balls.

Zaman's 99-ball knock, which included 11 fours and six sixes, finally ended in the 34th over when he was clean-bowled by Dilshan Madushanka with Pakistan still requiring 106 runs for victory. Madushanka finished with figures of 3/63.

The wet ball did little to help Sri Lanka as the young pair of Arafat Minhas and Hasan Nawaz (37 not out) held their nerve during a 94-run stand, rotating the strike consistently.

Asitha Fernando, who conceded 72 runs, added to the drama by taking the wickets of Minhas and Faheem Ashraf off successive deliveries with Pakistan needing just two runs for victory. Skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi then smashed Madushanka for a winning six over midwicket.

"We made a great comeback with the ball in the last 10 overs," Afridi said. "There was a collapse again (in batting), but Fakhar played a brilliant knock. I always say Fakhar scores in big games. Saad, Arafat and Hasan Nawaz have all made crucial contributions, which is good for Pakistan cricket."

Kamindu Mendis and opening partner Avishka Fernando (38) gave Sri Lanka a solid start of 87. Mendis and the in-form Pavan Rathnayake then added another 146 runs with brisk scoring in the middle overs.

Afridi trapped Mendis lbw with a fuller delivery in the 42nd over. His 128-ball knock featured 12 fours and two sixes. He consistently rotated the strike with Rathnayake, who was denied his third century of the tournament when he holed out to long-on in the 45th over after scoring 77 off 65 balls.

Pakistan, without the unwell Shadab Khan, pulled Sri Lanka back in the death overs through their pace bowlers. Sri Lanka scored 87/6 in the final 10 overs as Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf claimed two wickets each.

With AP inputs

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