In a remarkable turn of events following Pakistan’s defeat to Australia in the 2023 World Cup clash in Bengaluru, the former Pakistan cricket captain, Waqar Younis, made a startling and thought-provoking statement about his national identity. The 51-year-old, widely recognized as one of Pakistan’s cricketing icons, boldly declared that he considers himself ‘half-Australian.’ He urged fellow commentators and fans not to limit him to just being Pakistani.
Waqar Younis, a prominent figure in Pakistan’s cricketing history, has reportedly established a life in Sydney with his family. His recent assertion about being ‘half-Australian’ took many by surprise. This revelation came in the aftermath of Pakistan’s 62-run loss to Australia in the 2023 World Cup.
Following the defeat, Waqar Younis sat down with Star Sports and made the bold proclamation, “I’m half-Australian; don’t just label me as a Pakistani.” This statement left cricket fans in awe, as they had long considered Waqar a symbol of Pakistan’s cricketing heritage.
The loss to Australia marked Pakistan’s second consecutive defeat in the 2023 World Cup, with their prior loss being to arch-rivals India in Ahmedabad. Pakistan’s journey in the tournament has been marred by various factors, including dropped catches and inconsistent performances from key players.
“Don’t Call Me Pakistani,” Says Waqar Younis After Pakistan’s Defeat Against Australia
In the match against Australia, David Warner’s exceptional batting emerged as a significant challenge for the Pakistani team. Warner’s magnificent innings of 163 runs off 124 deliveries set the stage for Australia’s imposing total of 367 runs. His partnership with Mitchell Marsh, which amassed 259 runs, was the cornerstone of their team’s success.
Despite the daunting target, Pakistan exhibited a promising start to their innings, with Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq forming a formidable partnership of 134 runs. However, the Australian bowling attack, led by Pat Cummins, managed to shift the game in their favour during the middle overs. Pakistan’s star players such as Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, and Mohammad Rizwan struggled to make a significant impact.
In the end, Australia emerged victorious with a 62-run win. Adam Zampa’s remarkable performance, where he claimed four crucial wickets, played a pivotal role in Australia’s triumph. This victory propelled Australia into the top four in the World Cup points table.
