Afghan fans 'committed suicide' after Asia Cup loss to Pakistan: Gurbaz recalls defeat that shook country
Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz has spoken about the impact of his team’s loss to Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022, saying the defeat led to extreme reactions among fans back home, including incidents of suicide. Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz said he still finds it difficult to accept how his team lost that match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Pakistan needed 11 runs in the final over with one wicket left.
Naseem Shah then hit Fazalhaq Farooqi for two sixes off the first two balls to take his side to victory. Gurbaz said the defeat had a strong impact back home. "For me, the most heartbreaking match was the loss against Pakistan in the 2022 Asia Cup.
People back home were very hurt. Many people cried. Here, people committed suicide.
We have many emotional people here. We also get hurt as we play for people here," Gurbaz told Shubhankar Mishra. He said the memories of that game still affect him.
"As I am talking to you about that match, I can still recall the sad memories. Whenever I walk into the Sharjah Stadium, I am reminded of that heartbreaking loss. I still think about how we lost that game, which we should have won.