Long after India beat Pakistan in the World Cup bout and the neighbouring country took the honours for the laughter challenge with its self-deprecating jokes about its players’ performance, the powers that be in both countries kept up their usual sparring, with cricket providing the flashpoint this time.

The first salvo was fired by Union home minister Amit Shah, who likened the result of Sunday’s cricket match to the air strike in Balakot in February without specific references.

“Another strike on Pakistan by #TeamIndia and the result is same. Congratulations to the entire team for this superb performance. Every Indian is feeling proud and celebrating this impressive win. #INDvPAK,” Shah tweeted on Sunday soon after the match.

A while later, Pakistan military’s chief spokesperson, Asif Ghafoor, padded up to take on Shah, tweeting like the BJP leader from his personal handle and not from that of the director-general of the Inter-Services Public Relations.

“Dear @AmitShah yes ur team won a match. Well played. Two things with different denominators can’t be compared. So are strikes & match. If in doubt please see results of our Nowshera counter strikes & response to IAF violation on 27 Feb 19 downing two Indian jets. Stay Surprised.”

He followed this up with another detailed tweet that put out some highlights of Pakistan’s version of the dogfight along the Line of Control on February 27.

Specifically questioning Shah’s conclusion that both the air strike and the cricket match had the same results, Ghafoor said: “P.S. ‘...and the result is same?’ IAF strikes failed, two IAF jets shot down, a pilot arrested, Mi17 fratricide, four broad day light successful PAF Noushera counter air strikes, massive casualties along LOC and damage to Indian posts & artillery gun positions... Doctor please...”

Pakistan has since the day of the Balakot strike maintained that no one was killed in the attack despite India’s claims of having taken out terrorists.

Pakistan has also insisted that it shot down two IAF jets, one of which landed on its side and resulted in the capture of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was subsequently released.

Last month, the IAF unofficially admitted that it had shot down its own helicopter killing seven Indians.