Home / Sports / Fan Suicide After Cricket Loss Shocks Afghanistan
Fan Suicide After Cricket Loss Shocks Afghanistan
24 Mar
Summary
- Loss to Pakistan in 2022 Asia Cup deeply affected Afghan fans.
- Extreme fan reactions included reported suicides after the match.
- Afghanistan's Gurbaz still finds the loss difficult to accept.
Afghanistan cricketer Rahmanullah Gurbaz has spoken about the devastating impact of his team's 2022 Asia Cup loss to Pakistan. The match, decided by two consecutive sixes in the final over by Naseem Shah with one wicket remaining, remains a painful memory for Gurbaz and the Afghan fans.
According to Gurbaz, the defeat triggered severe emotional responses back home, with reports of fans committing suicide due to the heartbreak. He described the Afghan fanbase as highly emotional and acknowledged the players' own distress, stating that their happiness is tied to the people's joy.
Gurbaz still finds it difficult to reconcile with the loss, frequently recalling the "heartbreaking" events of that game at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. He believes Afghanistan should have won the match, despite a challenging score of 129/6. The rivalry with Pakistan holds significant importance for Afghan fans, who desire victory over their neighbors in every encounter.
Despite the intense fan passion, Gurbaz maintains a professional stance, stating he has no personal animosity towards Pakistani cricketers. He highlighted the 2023 ODI World Cup victory against Pakistan as a particularly memorable and joyous occasion for Afghans.
