Pakistani Fans Celebrate Virat Kohli’s Century Despite Champions Trophy Elimination – Viral Video Sparks Reactions

Cricket is often called a game of emotions, and nothing proves this better than the recent scenes in Islamabad, where Pakistani fans were seen celebrating Virat Kohli’s spectacular century. Despite the fact that his innings played a crucial role in knocking Pakistan out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the love for great cricket overshadowed national disappointment. The viral video capturing these celebrations has ignited conversations across social media, with fans and analysts appreciating the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by cricket enthusiasts in Pakistan.

Kohli’s Masterclass Stuns Pakistan, But Wins Their Applause

In a do-or-die Group A match, India beat Pakistan in a closely contested game. Pakistan chose to bat first and could only accumulate 242 runs, hoping that their bowlers would hold firm against the prolific Indian batting unit. But all hopes of winning for Pakistan went awry when Virat Kohli, the master chaser, put on a batting clinic and led India to victory in a comfortable manner. His flawless hundred, his 51st ODI century, was completed with a fashionably struck boundary to wrap up the run chase in style.

What followed this piece of history was the response of a crowd of Pakistani fans. A viral video clip captured fans in Islamabad cheering and applauding when Kohli achieved his milestone. While Pakistan's early exit from the tournament was unfortunate for the majority, others wished to celebrate the genius of one of the all-time great batters.

Kohli Reacts to Record-Breaking Ton

After his match-winning innings, Virat Kohli was observed discussing his innings and the risks involved in playing his natural game.

"It is a difficult one. That shot has been my weakness and strength at times in the past, but I have also scored a lot of runs playing it," Kohli said in a video published by BCCI. "Today, it was about trusting my instincts and believing in my shots. The boundaries I got early on were cover drives on the rise, and I just had to release, take the chance, and go through."

The experienced batsman also spoke of his batting style at No. 3, underlining his duty of not playing unessential risks but placing the side in a position of strength.

"My job at No. 3 has always been to put my team in to win. If I am given the opportunity to finish a game in a run chase, I always love that. I have tried to work over the years to adjust myself according to different situations in a match, and today was one of those days when everything went in our favor."

Kohli also achieved another record milestone in the match, completing 14,000 ODI runs within a record timeline which further puts him in line as one of all-time greats.

Why Pakistani Fans Supported Them?

The Islamabad party caused many an eyebrow to be raised, as it is not common for fans to enjoy a show that leads directly to the elimination of their team. But this reaction speaks to some of the very important things in cricket fandom:

Admiration for Great Players – Regardless of national rivalries, true cricket fans respect and appreciate world-class performances. Kohli’s innings was a masterclass in chasing, and for many, it was a privilege to witness.

Love for the Sport Over Rivalry – While Indo-Pak cricket encounters are always intense, there are times when the love for cricket transcends borders. Kohli’s century was a moment of brilliance that even Pakistani fans could not ignore.

Attitude Shift Among Younger Supporters – Most of Pakistan's young cricket supporters have only ever known watching Virat Kohli dominate global cricket. His ability transcends the past rivalries, and they appreciate individual brilliance more.

Reactions of Cricketing Community

The viral video of Pakistani fans celebrating Kohli’s knock received mixed reactions from cricket experts and former players. While some praised the spirit of sportsmanship, others felt it reflected the frustration of Pakistani supporters toward their own team’s performance.

Former Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram made an observation on the issue, stating, "Cricket is about enjoying skill. Kohli played a great innings, and it is nice to see the people enjoying that. But it is also a reflection of disillusionment at Pakistan's performance in the tournament."

In the meantime, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar was not surprised at the response, commenting, "Virat Kohli is one of the greatest batsmen of this generation. His performances are admired all over the world, and cricket fans in Pakistan have always respected good cricket."

The Road Ahead for India and Pakistan

With this victory, India qualified for the knockout stage of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, cementing their status as one of the best teams for the tournament. Pakistan was already out of the tournament too early, and people began talking about how their cricket system needed to be reformed in order to regain their lost glory on the international stage.

For Kohli, this game was another testament to his brilliance to step forward to the mark and make everyone understand why he remains one of the world's most respected cricketers. Adored or resented, no one can dispute his impact on the game, and as was clear in Islamabad, even the opposition's crowd cannot help but applaud his brilliance.