Pakistan’s women’s cricket team drew heavy criticism online after the players posted photos with their Asian Games bronze medals.

Eight teams played in the women’s event as a straight knockout at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, with no league stage.

Only Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were full member teams. Thailand, Malaysia and China qualified through a regional tournament in Kuala Lumpur in May, while Japan joined as hosts. When the qualifiers ended, the ICC ranked Thailand 12th, Malaysia 28th and China 42nd in women’s T20 internationals.

Pakistan’s run to the medal round was far from smooth.

In the quarter-final on September 17, Pakistan escaped a scare against Thailand in a rain-hit match. The game was cut short, leaving Pakistan a target of 92 in 11 overs. They needed 44 off 24 balls at one stage before captain Fatima Sana hit 4, 4 and 6 in one over, and Eyman Fatima finished it with a six. Pakistan won by three wickets, and Thailand kept the contest alive until the last over.

Sri Lanka ended Pakistan’s gold medal hopes in the semi-final on September 20. Pakistan posted 177-4 after half-centuries from Ayesha Zafar and Shawaal Zulfiqar, who shared a stand of 115. Sri Lanka chased the target down with eight wickets and 13 balls to spare, and captain Chamari Athapaththu finished on 83 not out. The win sent Pakistan into the bronze medal match.

Pakistan, however, beat Bangladesh by 31 runs on Tuesday in the third-place playoff.

Many social media users mocked the celebrations, saying a third-place finish did not deserve such pride.

“3rd out of 4 team’s tournement,” one user commented.

Another wrote, “Bronze (3rd) in a small tournament and just look at their pride.”

Others questioned the mood behind the pictures. “Performance -200%, attitude 200%,” one user said, while another wrote, “What a downfall we’re witnessing.”

Some users turned to sarcasm. “3 bari teams me 3sry number par aai hain or photo dekho [They finished third among three big teams, and look at the photo],” read one comment.

“Jahan bi jaty Hain last hi aty Hain ye [Wherever they go, they always finish last],” said another.

One user wrote, “Shukar jeetaay nai [Thank God they didn’t win],” and another added, “Bohot baraa teer mara hai [They have achieved something huge].”

India won the gold medal by beating Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final.