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'This is cricket': Sportsmanship wins hearts after the Pakistan-India T20 match

'This is cricket': Sportsmanship wins hearts after the Pakistan-India T20 match

Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni's actions after losing to Pakistan by 10 wickets proved that sport is about more than victory.
25 Oct, 2021

The Pakistan cricket team achieved last night what few thought they would — they beat India in a World Cup match by 10 wickets. There were a lot of firsts in the T20 match — the first time Pakistan beat India in a World Cup fixture, the first time Pakistan won a match by 10 wickets and the first time India lost by 10 wickets. But the match also taught us the joys of sportsmanship.

Along with congratulations and exclamations of joy, Twitter was full of memes and jokes but it was also full of videos and pictures of Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan and Virat Kohli sharing a moment after the match.

The Indian captain shook the Pakistan captain's hands and gave Rizwan a big hug. The moment cemented itself in the hearts of cricket fans as one celebrating a shared love of the game.

Kohli's show of sportsmanship proved to fans that at the end of the day, a game well played is a game well played regardless of who won.

Fans wanted politics to be left out of the conversation.

In fact, many were just happy to see Azam and Kohli in a single frame.

They also spotted another heartwarming moment on the pitch when former captain MS Dhoni spoke to Azam, Imad Wasim, Shahnawaz Dahani and Shoaib Malik.

Dahani also posted a selfie with Dhoni on Twitter, saying he wouldn't forget the excitement of meeting one of his favourite players.

For many Pakistani cricket players (and fans) Kohli and Dhoni are legends and meeting them is like meeting your heroes. That the players were so gracious after losing is a true sign of sportsmanship.

Win or lose, at the end of the day, mutual respect is of far greater value than any scorecard. There were thousands of people on Twitter praising not only the way the players played the game but the way they acted after it was over.

While we're very glad that Pakistan won (and what a victory!), we're even gladder to see the respect the players had for each other on and off the field. We hope we get to see touching moments like these throughout the T20 World Cup and beyond.

Comments

Aamir Latif Oct 25, 2021 02:04pm
Excellent sportsmanship... Such great acts will bring the two countries near for regional stability... Talk is the solution not war to settle disputes
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Shakir Oct 25, 2021 02:05pm
May the peace & sports prevail.
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Wasim Oct 25, 2021 02:19pm
Sports is a great means of creating bonds. Unfortunately Modi used it a means towards hatred, while trying to isolate Pakistan he brought huge embarasement for his own country yesterday
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M. Saeed Oct 25, 2021 02:20pm
A one in billionth moment!
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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Oct 25, 2021 02:22pm
Peace and dialogue are the only way forward for botg the Nations. Great to see cricketers mingling with each other. Let cricket improve ties between the two Nations. Exceptional performance by Pakistan's cricket team. Excellent sportsmanship shown by Dhoni and Kohli. Great scenes. Weldone.
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Zak Oct 25, 2021 02:28pm
Kohli's show of sportsmanship proved to fans that at the end of the day, a game well played is a game well played regardless of who won. No doubt Kohli, showed himself to be mature and normal without the implanted hate of Pakistan like majority of Indians. Respect for that.
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Fastrack Oct 25, 2021 02:28pm
Just visit Twitter to see the insane amount of hate being shown by Indians- including to Kohli, Dhoni.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Oct 25, 2021 02:28pm
Shane on all those who mix sports with politics.
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ABU TALIB Oct 25, 2021 02:38pm
What a game sportsman spirit, brave heart, really you (Kholi) won the heart of every Pakistani.
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Sheraz Ali Rizvi Oct 25, 2021 02:39pm
Can some one please show this Mr Modi and his BJP party please. This is called friendship and what they are doing is politics and sports got no space for politics. Come out from your shell please… and change it
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Shabnam Oct 25, 2021 02:40pm
Classic, all directions!
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F Nawaz Oct 25, 2021 02:45pm
Modi will not relent. It's up to the people to throw out fakes and build Bridges.
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ALLIABSOLUTIONS Oct 25, 2021 02:50pm
I am scared to think how the Prime Minister of India shall treat Virat and Dhoni after this.
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Gauhar Oct 25, 2021 02:53pm
It's truly heartening to witness how sport transcends borders. What champion cricketers Virat Kohli and MSD are. They exude class, even in defeat.
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Utpal Banerjee Oct 25, 2021 02:54pm
When I was a kid, sixty years back, then cricket was told a gentleman’s Play. Now it is coming back.
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John Oct 25, 2021 02:54pm
Indian are so gratious and civilized even after losing..
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Babubhai Oct 25, 2021 03:06pm
Was this magic Marium Nawaz too ?
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Vijay Oct 25, 2021 03:16pm
Well played Pakistan, Congrats !!! Remember this is not the end...be careful next time, we would come back.
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ZUA Oct 25, 2021 03:28pm
These gentlemen after the gentleman's game is 99.99 % pure cricket.
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richie Oct 25, 2021 03:36pm
@Fastrack really, i see no hate in the street of mumbai
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richie Oct 25, 2021 03:38pm
@F Nawaz no modi will be there and sportmanship will also be there dont worry about our pm u take care of yours
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Pavan Oct 25, 2021 03:56pm
Wow! Absolutely fantastic cricket by Pakistan. Loved the way they bowled and batted yesterday. Congratulations Afridi, Babar and Rizwan! You did so well and very composed in the stadium on your win. Virat and team - You can do much better and I'm sure you will be in finals along with Pakistan again!
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G Ravi Oct 25, 2021 04:04pm
What a match. Afridi's first over, no words to express. From the beginning to end it's only Pakistan's game, India is no where near and out of woods. Great win and congrats to Pak.
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Gollum Oct 25, 2021 04:17pm
Thanks Indian team hope we play more cricket together
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Amjad Khan Oct 25, 2021 04:20pm
Modi should learn from Kohli.What a gentleman.
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Asif A. Shah Oct 25, 2021 04:43pm
I salute Virat Kohli for his sportsman spirit I think PM Modi should take a cue from it and call PM Imran Khan in order to normalize relations between India and Pakistan.
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Dr Dummy Oct 25, 2021 04:59pm
Virat especially, and then Dhoni showed grace in their defeat, not a wrinkle!
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Dr Dummy Oct 25, 2021 05:01pm
@Zak There are millions more with the same thoughts and feelings about Pakistan but do not like the acts of some!
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Dr Dummy Oct 25, 2021 05:03pm
@Sheraz Ali Rizvi - This also needs to be shown many Pakistani politicians and cricket lovers!
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A shah Oct 25, 2021 05:22pm
Indians have hearts of champions
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A shah Oct 25, 2021 05:23pm
Indians have big hearts
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sidC Oct 25, 2021 05:48pm
@Wasim Why bringing politics ,enjoy the moment .
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Pankaj Oct 25, 2021 05:53pm
Well done Pakistan !!! You guys were brilliant on the field. You deserved to win this. Hope to see these type of clashes more in the future. May the peace prevail.
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Citizen Oct 25, 2021 06:03pm
We salute both teams for great cricket and great sportsman spirit
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Rajan Oct 25, 2021 06:04pm
Loved the bear hug. Congratulations Pakistan - it was your day. But when I saw how players interacted with each other afterwards, my hurt of losing instantly disappeared. I hope that the cup comes to the subcontinent.
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Sayyar Khan Oct 25, 2021 06:19pm
This is how it should be.
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Ibrahim S Oct 25, 2021 06:50pm
But our PM IK comments were way out of line.
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Msreed Oct 25, 2021 07:07pm
Fantastic performance by Pakistan. It is good for cricket that India got beaten in this manner by a young Pakistani team. Kohli was so gracious in defeat, never seen an Indian or Pakistan captain showing so much warmth and appreciation for the opposition team in defeat. Politics and sports should be kept separate by everyone. Especially, some of the fans who commented here should look into a mirror and practice what they preach. Cheers.
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Sayyar Khan Oct 25, 2021 09:00pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Will you still call PCB. Punjab Cricket board and prefer. Sarfraz over Rizwan?
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Deb Oct 25, 2021 09:13pm
@Wasim Not sure why you chose to single out Modi my friend !!! After all it takes both hands to clap - isn't it ?
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Piyush Oct 25, 2021 09:18pm
Wonderful display by the Pakistani Team. Congratulations and best wishes. Wonderful spirit shown by the players.
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Polaris Oct 25, 2021 10:00pm
Maybe the peace that started with cricket will prevail in all fields.
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Anurodh Oct 25, 2021 10:47pm
Loved it. A game well won, and sportsmanship superseded at the end. good wishes.
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Eternal_Dharma Oct 25, 2021 10:55pm
@Asif A. Shah, not going to happen. That is not what a majority of India's population wants and with good reasons.
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FAZ Oct 26, 2021 12:35am
Abusing has already started in India against them.
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Ejaz Ahmed Oct 26, 2021 01:53am
I was really moved when I saw Kohli congratulating Rizwan and Babar. He is a real sportsman. Thank you Kohli.
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Anonymouseee Oct 26, 2021 03:16am
Nice to see heart warming pictures between the two teams. Sadly it’s the Indian government that has always been hostile towards Pakistan. Pakistan always gives respect where it’s due and Indian crickets Kohli and Dhoni certainly deserve it.
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Aam Aadmi Oct 26, 2021 03:27am
Good coverage. Thank you Dawn.
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Ash20 Oct 26, 2021 03:41am
Since Mishab become captain of Pakistani team, Pakistani captain has been mature and gentleman. Indian captains are always mature and gentleman. One Shahid Afridi was not gentleman.
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Dollarman Oct 26, 2021 07:31am
Bravo! Virat! Sports is so un-Modi! It brings people closer!
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Tadka Oct 26, 2021 07:43am
@FAZ though abusing anyone is bad ,, but ppl here are angry on their performance not for them talking to pak players...be clear
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Regional observer Oct 26, 2021 08:17am
@Utpal Banerjee , virat and Kohli are patriots. Modi will treat them with respect.
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Raju Oct 26, 2021 09:16am
India is a matured team
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Rahul NZ Oct 26, 2021 10:26am
Nah....No TVs broken, no hateful speeches, no bricks or stones on anyone's house...that's how Indians take losing a match.
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Imdad Oct 26, 2021 04:03pm
Virat Kohli is a true gentleman who loves and respects Pakistani cricketers.
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GreenAura Oct 26, 2021 10:51pm
I hold my hands up. Dhoni and Kohli regained my respect today. We geuinely hope your countrymen and plausibly even the BCCI can display some similar grace and magnanimity.
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P L Bakhshi Oct 27, 2021 04:57am
In any game there are two options to emerge, either you win and rightfully feel pleasure and smile on face, or you loose and aptly feel sad and morose. In such a scenario it is absolutely heartening to find the looser joining the winner and sharing his/her pleasure by wearing a smile on the face. Though MS Dhoni is known for such penchant characteristics it was really a surprise to see Virat Kohli performing the same way rather exhibiting his geniality. It is a lesson to be emulated.
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AZAM AKBAR Oct 27, 2021 01:48pm
Congratulations to the sportsmen and Pakistan.
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apakmuslim Oct 31, 2021 07:25am
True sportsmanship demonstrated by Indian star players. can't deny. Keep the politicians, army aside for a minute and enjoy the moment. Let us learn these things instead of abusing across social media. By the way, the cup is coming to Pak.
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