Ex-Pakistan star mocks India with ‘schoolboys’ and ‘paper tigers’ remark after New Zealand loss

Former Pakistan star shames India after New Zealand series defeat

India lost against New Zealand by 113 runs in the second Test match held in Pune. With one match still to go, New Zealand clinched the series and ended India’s record of 18 consecutive bilateral home series wins. This was also India’s first home Test series defeat in 12 years.

Following India’s defeat, former Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad mocked the Men in Blue, and even stated that New Zealand ‘pulled a prank’ on them.

“New Zealand have come to India and thrashed them as if they had the right to do so, beating them like kids and walking away. They’ve pulled a prank on India. People are now saying, ‘Kagaz ke sher, aur ghar mein dher’ (Tigers on paper, crumbled at home),” Shehzad said.

“When India were bowled out for 46 runs (in the first Test), Rohit Sharma had said, ‘Everyone has a bad day.’ And we accept that. Absolutely fair. But in this test match, too, the way you played cricket made it seem like you’ve become complacent. Rohit Sharma says that they don’t believe in unnecessary talk, but that spirit was missing in the last two Tests. These two matches have been played in a way that makes it seem like schoolboys were playing,” Shehzad added.

The defeat also put India’s hopes of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) finals in serious jeopardy as now not only do Rohit Sharma’s side need to win the remaining Test against New Zealand, but also need to clinch the upcoming 5-match Border-Gavaskar series against Australia in order to qualify for the WTC finals.