Balochistan, Nov 12: After suffering a humiliating loss against Australia in the T20 World Cup semi-finals, Pakistan was engrossed in grief. However, celebrations broke in several parts of Balochistan, with people coming out on the streets and cheering. Australia defeated Pakistan by five wickets in Dubai in the second semi-final to set up a final against New Zealand on Sunday.
Several videos are making rounds on social media, in which Baloch youth could be seen celebrating Pakistan defeat and the Australian victory. Afghan journalist Habib Khan also shared the videos. "Baloch joining the roasting Pakistan club and celebrating Australian victory against the terror-sponsoring country," he tweeted along with a video in which tens of people packed in a room cheered and applauded as soon as the gripping match ended.
The celebratory mood was also witnessed on the streets of the province too. In another video, triumphant people swarmed the streets of Balochistan, dancing on the streets to celebrate the victory of the Australian team. "Another video from Quetta #Balochistan, Baloch students are also celebrating #Australia's win against #Pakistan," a Baloch activist tweeted.
Balochistan is a resource-rich but least developed province of Pakistan where a freedom movement has been ongoing for the past several decades. They have been against Pakistan's government. The past few years have also witnessed a surge in separatist sentiments in the Balochistan region of Pakistan. There is also growing unrest due to rising numbers of forced disappearances in the area, allegedly caused by Pakistan's security forces.
Meanwhile, in several parts of Afghanistan, too, the celebration was seen. Jalalabad witnessed fireworks, and people danced on the streets of Khost. "Firework in Jalalabad following Pakistan's defeat in the cricket World Cup," Habib Khan tweeted along with a video. "Afghans in Khost celebrate Pakistan's embarrassing defeat in the cricket World Cup. This is the Afghan way, with Attan," he tweeted another video.