World Cup 2019: A Pakistan channel airs spoof ad featuring Abhinandan look-alike for their match vs India

As the date for the India and Pakistan clash in the ICC World Cup 2019 gets near, both the nations are getting hyped up for that all-important match in Manchester which will be played on June 16. Pakistan has never defeated India in six World Cup encounters, though they had beaten them in Champions Trophy final in 2017.

Star Sports recently brought out the “Baap” of all ads featuring the fans of India and Pakistan to hype up the match which left everyone in splits. This is easily one of the most loved television commercials by the Indian fans and is equally hated on the other side of the border. Incidentally the day India and Pakistan face each other is Father’s Day and the advertisement incorporated in it.

A Pakistan TV channel brings Abhinandan into the mix

A Pakistani TV channel rolled out a promotional advertisement ahead of the India and Pakistan match in World Cup, with an actor impersonating Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured during the air strikes, as his plane landed in Pakistan after a malfunction.

The character impersonating Abhinandan sports the Indian Air Force pilot’s signature handlebar mustache in the Jazz TV clip and is dressed in Indian team’s blue colored kit. The actor is seen sipping tea in a similar way Abhinandan was shown after his capture on February 27.

In the ad, a person asks actor impersonating Abhinandan about the playing XI of the Indian team for Pakistan match, to which the actor says – “I am not supposed to tell you this”, similar to how Abhinandan replied to a question, but the actor used a South Indian accent. The interrogator then asks about the tea and the fake Abhinandan replies the tea is really good and then he is asked to leave.

As the impersonator gets up to leave, he is pulled back by the interrogator who says, “Ek second Ruko! Cup Kahan leke ja raho ho?” – punning on the word “Cup” in an allusion to the cricket trophy. Ever since the February 14 attacks in Pulwama, tensions are high between the two countries and there were even calls of India boycotting the Pakistan match.

Pakistani fans will be looking forward to their team doing well and maybe registering their first win over Indian team in World Cup history, given that they beat England. India, on the other hand, has defeated South Africa and Australia in the two matches they have played so far.

Shameful for Pakistan to mock our hero #Abhinandan ahead of #INDvsPAK World Cup cricket game. We need to retaliate! pic.twitter.com/BQcLxyQPvH

— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) June 11, 2019