'Massacre' screams Pakistani media on World Cup defeat

"Massacre at Mohali" screamed the Pakistani media as it blamed poor fielding and batting for the stunning semi-final loss of its cricket team in the World Cup at the hands of India last night.

Headlines on the front pages of the Pakistani media, both English and Urdu, reflected the all-pervading gloom of the nation's cricket fans at their team's loss.

English daily The News, which called the defeat as a massacre, also said in its headline "India in final as bad fielding, batting sink Pakistan", a point made virtually by the entire media.

"Dropped catches, scratchy shots and Misbah's 'test innings' blamed for defeat: Cricket mania evaporates after anti-climax", lamented the headline in Dawn newspaper.

Similar sentiments were expressed by "Business Recorder" as the reasons that cost Pakistan the match.

"The dream is over: India dump Pakistan out of the World Cup", said The Express Tribune, while its sports page headline cried "End Of The Road".

Pakistan Observer talked of "World Cup Dream Shattered".

Urdu newspaper Express summed up the despondent mood of the Pakistan team to say "Afridi Apologises to Nation".