Host and rapper Ahmed Ali Butt, like most other Pakistanis, was heartbroken to hear of Pakistan’s rout in last Sunday’s high-stakes game against India. The team’s third game of the T-20 World Cup ended in a humiliating loss where Pakistan fell 61 runs short of their target.

Taking his frustration to the internet, he posted an Instagram story saying the game had been “dead for years now” owing to a lack of talent, accountability, motivation and other critical elements in the men’s team.

Butt suggested that players were more interested in politics, brand deals, social media and other such pursuits. He said the game was no longer much more than a “cash cow” and that “they will milk it till it bleeds out”.

He was understandably not alone in holding these views. Screenwriter Yasir Hussain had earlier shared a clip of former skipper Shahid Afridi saying if he were in charge, he’d have benched senior players like Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, even his son-in-law, Shaheen Afridi, to give new players a chance to take the field.

“If the seniors are not performing, bring in the juniors,” Shahid told anchors on Samaa TV in the clip. Hussain said the cricketer’s advice must be heeded. Veteran TV and radio host Tauseeq Haider and actors Maya Ali and Nabeel Zafar also criticised the team’s performance.