“Some people committed suicide”: Rahmanullah Gurbaz opens up on painful 2022 Asia Cup loss to Pakistan

In the past few years, matches between Pakistan and Afghanistan have grown into fiercely competitive contests, often filled with high emotions. One standout moment came in the 2023 ODI World Cup, when Afghanistan defeated Pakistan and celebrated a historic triumph. However, before that breakthrough, the team had suffered several painful losses, including a particularly crushing one in the 2022 Asia Cup at Sharjah.

In that game, Afghanistan appeared to have the upper hand. Pakistan needed 11 runs in the last over with just one wicket remaining, making Afghanistan strong favourites. But the match took an unexpected turn when Naseem Shah hit Fazalhaq Farooqi for two sixes in the first two balls of the over, sealing a dramatic win for Pakistan.

The defeat left the Afghan camp deeply disappointed, with players visibly shaken. Recalling it years later, opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz admitted he still finds it hard to comprehend how they lost from such a strong position. He also spoke about the emotional reaction among fans back home, saying the result had a profound impact and was difficult for many to accept.

“The toughest loss for me was against Pakistan in the 2022 Asia Cup. It deeply affected people back home and many were in tears. Some people committed suicide. Our fans are very emotional, and we feel that pressure too because we represent them,” Gurbaz told Shubhankar Mishra.

“Even now, when I talk about that match, the painful memories come back. Every time I step into Sharjah Stadium, it reminds me of that loss. I still wonder how we ended up losing a game that was in our grasp. Our batting wasn’t up to the mark, though our bowling was good but in the end, we couldn’t finish it,” he added.

Despite the intensity of the rivalry, Gurbaz made it clear he has no personal issues with Pakistani players. Still, he emphasized that matches against Pakistan carry great significance, as victories in these encounters mean a lot to Afghan supporters.

“We are cricketers, and we represent the people of Afghanistan. Our joy comes from seeing our fans happy. If you ask anyone here about their most unforgettable match, they will point to the win against Pakistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup,” Gurbaz added.

“As a player, I don’t hold any personal issues with others in the game. But our supporters back home always want us to come out on top against Pakistan,” he concluded.

The post “Some people committed suicide”: Rahmanullah Gurbaz opens up on painful 2022 Asia Cup loss to Pakistan appeared first on Read.