Well played, but don't compare 'strikes and match:' Pak army replies to Indian minister

Pakistan’s military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor has strongly responded to Indian Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments regarding “strike on Pakistan” comments after Indian defeated Pakistan by 89 in World Cup match in Manchester.

Ghafoor, replying to Amit Shah from his personal Twitter handle, says “Dear Amit Shah yes your team won a match. Well played. Two things with different denominators can’t be compared. So are strikes and match.”

Ghafoor continued “If in doubt please see results of our Nowshera counter strikes and response to IAF violation on 27 Feb19 downing two Indian jets. Stay Surprised.”

Earlier, following defeat of Pakistan, Indian Union Home Minister had tweeted referring to fake air strike in Pakistan that “Another strike on Pakistan by Team India and the result is same.”

"Congratulations to the entire team for this superb performance. Every Indian is feeling proud and celebrating this impressive win," added Shah, who heads the cricket association in his home state of Gujarat.

India cut bilateral cricket ties with its neighbour after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, with authorities blaming Pakistani militants.

With such a history, cricket clashes are regularly tainted by the political rivalry between the two. Many Indian fans view a win against Pakistan as a matter of national honour, while defeats are looked down upon as disasters.

India beat Pakistan by 89 runs in Manchester on Sunday and have now won all seven of their games against their arch-rivals since the World Cup began.

Indian cricketers triumph

Veteran journalist, Rajdeep Sardesai, son of a former Indian cricketer, said the match was "a bit like the state of the two countries at the moment."

"India: stable, experienced and confident; Pakistan looking chaotic, direction-less and underwhelming," he said on Twitter.

Sadanand Dhume, an Indian writer based in the United States, said it was a domineering performance.

"In most matters, I believe India should treat Pakistan with maturity and moderation. But in cricket utter and total domination and abject humiliation work just fine," he wrote on Twitter.

Indian newspapers lavished praise on the team, splashing banner headlines and photos on their front pages.

"Bragging rights intact as India make it 7-0 vs Pak", said a Hindustan Times front page headline.

The Indian Express called it a "No match," to underscore how Pakistan were completely overwhelmed.

The Times of India said "mediocre" Pakistan were "stymied by a lack of intent and a disciplined, unyielding performance in the field by the Men in Blue."

Agence France-Presse / input from Twitter