The high-stakes rivalry between India and Pakistan in the 2026 T20 World Cup has shifted from the pitch to social media, but not for the reasons Pakistan fans would hope. Following a 61-run thrashing in Colombo on February 15, Pakistan’s newly appointed captain, Salman Ali Agha, has become the target of relentless memes for his post-match interview.
As India secured its place in the Super 8s, Salman Ali Agha’s struggle to articulate the team’s collapse in English prompted fans to revive the iconic “Kehna Kya Chahte Ho?” (What are you trying to say?) meme from the movie 3 Idiots.
The Post-Match “Language Test”
While the match was a disaster for Pakistan—bowled out for 114 while chasing 176—the “second innings” played out on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram:
- The “Fumble” Viral Clip: Clips of Salman Ali Agha fumbling over his words while explaining Pakistan’s “spin-heavy” strategy (they bowled a record 18 overs of spin) went viral.
- The Meme Fest: Netizens compared his interview to a “Centre Fresh” advertisement, while others humorously noted that Pakistan’s English was “collapsing faster than their middle order.”
- Global Banter: Adding to the mockery, popular Australian cricket creator Jake Jeakings posted a “zip your mouth” video, brutally trolling the Pakistan team’s performance and the subsequent excuses in the media.
Match Summary: A Clinical 8-1 Dominance
Despite the off-field trolling, the on-field stats tell a story of complete Indian dominance:
- Ishan Kishan’s Masterclass: Smashed a 40-ball 77, the fastest T20 WC fifty by an Indian against Pakistan.
- The “No Handshake” Policy: Tensions remained high as both captains, Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha, followed the “no handshake” protocol during the toss and post-match, a carry-over from the frosty 2025 Asia Cup relations.
- Super 8 Bound: India sits atop Group A with 3 wins in 3 games, while Pakistan’s hopes now hinge on their final match against Namibia.