In a twist that would leave old-school cricket lovers scratching their heads, Pakistani YouTube channels are setting aside decades of traditional rivalry to openly admire – if not worship – India’s cricket team. From lauding Virat Kohli’s on-field brilliance to hailing the IPL as a ‘factory’ of cricketing talent, Pakistani fans and analysts alike seem to be embracing the reality: India is in a league of its own.
Take Shaila Khan of ‘Naila Pakistani Reactions’, who roams the streets to capture raw, unfiltered responses from the public. During the Pakistan-India Champions Trophy clash, she found fans openly calling Kohli ‘the real king’ – not their own Babar Azam. When India clinched victory, chants of ‘India Zindabad, Virat Kohli Zindabad’ erupted, making it seem like the match was being played in Mumbai, not Dubai.
Meanwhile, Shoaib Chaudhary of ‘Real Entertainment TV’ showcased visuals of a disgruntled old man smashing his television in frustration – an all-too-familiar post-defeat ritual in Pakistan. Another irate fan suggested the team should abandon cricket and find regular jobs, given their lackluster performances. But beyond the theatrics, a deeper sentiment was emerging.
After Afghanistan stunned England, some Pakistani fans found solace in an unexpected place – India. They pointed out that Afghanistan’s coaching staff included Indians, subtly admitting that India’s cricketing infrastructure is miles ahead. Ibrahim Zadran’s stunning 177 off 146 balls was praised, while Pakistan’s own squad was berated for trembling even against Bangladesh.
As one dismayed fan put it, ‘Pakistan doesn’t have a single player who can stand up to India. Forget beating them, we can’t even compete.’
Love for India, anger at their own team
This admiration for Indian cricket wasn’t limited to the field. In a lighter moment, three giggling young Pakistani women were asked whom they would pick for a dinner date. The unanimous answer? Virat Kohli. His fitness, sportsmanship, handsome looks and humility – even in small gestures like tying Naseem Shah’s shoelace – have won over hearts across the border.
But if Indian cricketers were being adored, Pakistan’s team selection faced heavy criticism. Fans alleged that deserving players like Fakhar Zaman were deliberately kept out, while incompetent ones were handpicked for reasons beyond cricket. Accusations of match-fixing surfaced, with many suspecting the four dropped catches against India were ‘intentional and paid for’.
Meanwhile, in Dubai, a viral clip showed a Pakistani fan proudly donning an Indian jersey mid-match. The moment was met with loud cheers from Indian supporters. In stark contrast, a viral incident in Lahore saw a man waving an Indian flag forcibly escorted out by security. The divide between how cricket is celebrated in the two nations couldn’t be clearer.
Arzoo Kazmi’s no-holds-barred bouncer
Pakistani journalist and YouTuber Arzoo Kazmi, known for her sharp wit and secular leanings, couldn’t resist a few digs. Often at odds with religious hardliners, Kazmi wears a bindi on her forehead, keeps a statue of Buddha in the background – an act considered prohibited under Islam – and begins her show with ‘Hello, Namaste, Satsri Akal’, much to the chagrin of her haters.
Mocking bizarre claims from Pakistani media that India won because Hindu priests were chanting mantras in the stadium, she quipped, ‘Had we known, we would’ve brought mullahs too!’
She also ridiculed the military’s attempt to ‘train’ the team by making them carry heavy stones uphill: ‘Did that help? If anything, our cricketing standards have fallen further.’
And then came her most scathing remark – targeting PM Shehbaz Sharif, who had thumped the lectern and declared he’d change his name if Pakistan didn’t leave India behind. Kazmi quipped, ‘Did he mean in cricket? If so, he should probably start looking for a new name.’
No TVs left to break
One thing, however, has changed. Arzoo noted that the once-common sight of fans smashing televisions after Pakistan’s defeats has dwindled – not because the anger is any less, but because LCD and smart TVs are too expensive in an economy where people can barely afford wheat and electricity bills.
In a nation where cricket was once a matter of national pride, the shift is undeniable. Today, Indian cricket is not just admired in Pakistan – it’s celebrated. The arch-rivals may still battle it out on the pitch, but on YouTube, India has already won.