Shoaib Akhtar's one-liner post goes viral after Pakistan's T20 World Cup exit

Pakistan's journey through the T20 World Cup ended in disappointment on Friday as the team failed to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the tournament. Pakistan's exit came after the United States of America's match against Ireland was called off due to rain. The USA were awarded a point, which was enough to reach the Super 8 stage in their first appearance in the tournament. Following Pakistan's surprise exit, former pacer Shoaib Akhtar expressed his disappointment at the result.

On X, Akhtar posted a one-line post with the comment: “Pakistan's World Cup journey is over.”

Pakistan’s World Cup journey is over.

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 14, 2024

Pakistan needed Ireland to beat the USA in their final group stage match against Ireland.

However, a draw means they can only get four points. The USA finished the group league season with five points from four games, joining India in the next round of Group A.

Pakistan fell short of their target of 120 in a close match against India in New York on Sunday. They earlier suffered a surprise Super Over defeat to the USA in their opening match in Dallas.

The two consecutive defeats meant that Pakistan's chances of reaching the Super Eight were already out of their control and they had to once again rely on other results to work in their favour.

However, heavy rain and flooding in Fort Lauderdale in recent days dashed their hopes of making it to the next round.

The USA began the tournament with a convincing win over Canada by nearly 200 runs, shocked Pakistan in one of the biggest upsets of the T20 World Cup and then made life difficult for strong title contenders India. But the team's momentum in the game was fuelled by a morale-boosting T20I series win over Bangladesh just before the showpiece.

The U.S. team consists of eight cricketers of Indian descent, most of them on temporary H1-B visas that allow companies to hire foreign employees, and is trying to revive the sport 180 years after the country hosted the first international cricket match between the U.S. and Canada at St. George's Cricket Club in New York in 1844, 33 years before England and Australia played their first Test match.

The USA's advancement to the next round also secured them a place in the group stage of the 2026 edition.

(With PTI inputs)