New Delhi / Colombo: Following Pakistan’s loss to India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the team faced heavy criticism from former players and cricket legends. Figures like Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Yousuf, and Rashid Latif openly questioned the team’s performance, with Afridi suggesting that players such as Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Afridi be dropped.
However, Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan hit back strongly at the criticism, defending his team’s record against India.
Shadab’s Response to the Legends
Speaking to the media, Shadab said, “Our former cricketers have their opinions, and they have done well for Pakistan. But at the end of the day, they have never beaten India in a World Cup. We were the ones who defeated India in the 2021 World Cup. Yes, they are legends, but they have never performed well against India in a World Cup.”
To clarify, Pakistan has beaten India only once across ODIs and T20 World Cups, in the 2021 T20 World Cup held in Dubai, where they won by 10 wickets. Shadab Khan was part of that victorious team, while Babar Azam was the captain of Pakistan at the time.
Shadab Khan Shines Against Namibia
Returning to form against Namibia, Shadab starred with both bat and ball. He scored 36 not out off 22 balls, hitting 3 sixes and 1 four, and later picked up 3 wickets for 19 runs in 4 overs, leading Pakistan to a comprehensive 102-run victory.
Pakistan will begin their Super 8 campaign on February 21 against New Zealand, aiming to build momentum from this strong performance.
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