It hits. It hurts. It depresses. But it does not surprise you. It does not shock you. But the bad feeling gets toxic. These sentiments represent the average Pakistani in seeing your cricket team go down without a fight.

That too against India. The odds were heavily in favour of India. The experts had already predicted a one-sided game. When it happens, despite knowing it, it still knocks you down.

That means it is not just the loss of a game, it is a loss of hope. In a country where there is little to cheer about, cricket brings a lot of energy, a lot of festivity and a lot of unity.

It is a game that is following passionately in Pakistan. It is a game that transcends class, gender, occupation. It is a game that makes the dead come to life.

Look at the media. Look at the social media. Everybody is an expert. Everybody is tiktoking. Everybody is involved. The corporate boardroom directors look secretly on their phones for the score update during strategic meetings. The small retailer down the road puts up the ancient 14in TV screen for onlookers. The street vendor does non-stop running commentary.

This one was special. Pakistan hosting the ICC international tournament after decades. The stadiums were renovated. All top teams except India were visiting.

Home grounds, home crowds. Good weather, good pitches. All the makings of a home team advantage. Pakistan’s team has performed poorly consistently. The label of “Pakistan being dangerous as you never know when they become unplayable” has also become staid.

They are now predictably and consistently bad. That is not to say that........

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