Shadab Khan Defends Pakistan Cricket Team After India Loss in T20 World Cup 2026

Pakistan lost to India by 61 runs in the T20 World Cup 2026. Shadab Khan says his generation beat India, something past players didn't do in World Cups.
By Newsroom | Cricket, Pakistan |

A significant defeat against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 has triggered a strong debate within Pakistan cricket. Following the loss, Shadab Khan, a key player for Pakistan, has publicly addressed criticism from former players, sparking further discussion about the team's performance and future direction. The team is currently preparing for its Super 8 matches, with the pressure mounting after the group stage setback.

T20 World Cup 2026: Shadab Khan’s 'We beat India' blast at Shahid Afridi & Mohammad Yousuf sparks Pakistan cricket storm - 1

Pakistan's T20 World Cup Campaign Amidst Scrutiny

Pakistan faced a substantial 61-run defeat against India, their largest margin of loss to their arch-rivals in T20 internationals. This loss occurred on February 15th and has intensified scrutiny on senior players. The team's performance in the Super 8 stage is now critical to determining the continued backing of the current squad's core members.

T20 World Cup 2026: Shadab Khan’s 'We beat India' blast at Shahid Afridi & Mohammad Yousuf sparks Pakistan cricket storm - 2

  • Pakistan's T20 World Cup Group A standing saw them drop to third place after the defeat, necessitating a win in their final group match against Namibia to advance.

  • India, having secured top spot in the group, has already qualified for the next stage.

  • The team's Super 8 campaign is set to commence against New Zealand on Saturday, February 21st, followed by matches against England on Tuesday, February 24th, and Sri Lanka on Saturday, February 28th.

Fallout and Calls for Change

The substantial loss to India has led to vocal reactions from several former Pakistan cricketers, many of whom have called for significant changes to the team's lineup.

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T20 World Cup 2026: Shadab Khan’s 'We beat India' blast at Shahid Afridi & Mohammad Yousuf sparks Pakistan cricket storm - 3

  • Shahid Afridi, a former captain, has publicly stated he would drop senior players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shadab Khan for future matches, advocating for new talent to be given opportunities.

  • Mohammad Yousuf, another former captain, has echoed similar sentiments, suggesting it might be time for Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi to step away from the T20 format.

  • Former captain Moin Khan has reportedly commented that India appears to be a more superior side than Pakistan in all formats currently.

  • Javed Miandad, a former skipper, acknowledged that the team struggles to perform under pressure.

  • Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has also voiced criticism regarding the team's performance and tactics.

Shadab Khan's Defense

In response to the widespread criticism and calls for dropping senior players, Shadab Khan has defended his generation of cricketers. He pointed out a significant achievement that, he stated, his predecessors never accomplished in World Cups: beating India.

T20 World Cup 2026: Shadab Khan’s 'We beat India' blast at Shahid Afridi & Mohammad Yousuf sparks Pakistan cricket storm - 4

"The criticism came after Pakistan’s surrender highlighted their poor World Cup record against India, a rivalry that continues to define cricket in the subcontinent. Responding to calls for senior players to be dropped, Shadab reminded critics that the current generation achieved something their predecessors never did in World Cups: beating India."

Shadab also reportedly remarked on the records of former players.

"Yes, they are legends, but they have never done anything remarkable against India in the World Cup,” he added.

Key Performances and Statistics

The match against India saw mixed individual performances from Pakistan's players.

  • Ishan Kishan's knock reportedly powered India to 175 for 7 on a challenging pitch.

  • Babar Azam was dismissed early while attempting a risky shot.

  • Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi reportedly conceded a significant number of runs during their bowling spells.

  • Saim Ayub was noted as a bright spot with his three-wicket haul, which caused trouble for India's top order.

  • Shadab Khan scored 14 runs and conceded 17 runs in one over, according to one report.

Analysis of Pakistan's World Cup Record

Pakistan's historical performance against India in World Cups remains a point of concern and discussion.

  • The rivalry between India and Pakistan is a dominant factor in cricket within the subcontinent.

  • India has maintained an undefeated streak against Pakistan in Men's T20 World Cups, with reports indicating this is the 11th consecutive win for India.

  • The recurring pattern of defeats, particularly in high-stakes World Cup matches, fuels the demand for significant team changes and strategic re-evaluations.

Implications for Pakistan Cricket

The intense public and former-player reaction following the India loss places considerable pressure on the Pakistan Cricket Board and the team management.

  • The team's performance in the upcoming Super 8 matches will likely influence future squad selections.

  • The debate highlights a generational divide in perspective, with current players emphasizing recent achievements like beating India, while former players focus on consistent World Cup success against major rivals.

  • The situation underscores the challenging environment senior players face, where even past successes are overshadowed by significant defeats.

Conclusion

The aftermath of Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2026 defeat to India has led to a heated exchange between current player Shadab Khan and prominent former cricketers such as Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousuf. While critics are calling for the dismissal of senior players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shadab Khan due to performance concerns and the team's poor World Cup record against India, Shadab Khan has defended his generation by highlighting their historic win against India in the tournament, an achievement he states their predecessors did not record. This public disagreement reveals a deep division in opinion regarding team strategy and player evaluation. The team's upcoming Super 8 fixtures will be crucial in shaping the narrative and potential future changes within the Pakistan squad. The lack of a documented remarkable World Cup record against India for the preceding generations is a point Shadab Khan has used to contextualize his team's position.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Shadab Khan responding to criticism after the T20 World Cup 2026 loss to India?
Pakistan lost to India by 61 runs on February 15th, their biggest loss to India in T20 internationals. This defeat led former Pakistan players like Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousuf to call for changes in the team.
Q: What did Shadab Khan say about the criticism from former players?
Shadab Khan defended his generation of players. He pointed out that his team beat India in the T20 World Cup, an achievement he said past Pakistan teams never managed in World Cups.
Q: What did former Pakistan players say about the team after the loss to India?
Many former players, including Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousuf, criticized the team's performance. They suggested dropping senior players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shadab Khan and giving chances to new talent.
Q: How did Pakistan perform against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 match on February 15th?
India scored 175 for 7, and Pakistan was bowled out for 114, losing by 61 runs. Babar Azam was out early, and Shadab Khan scored 14 runs and conceded 17 runs in one over.
Q: What is Pakistan's record against India in T20 World Cups?
India has a strong record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups, winning 11 consecutive matches. This historical dominance is a key part of the current debate about the team's performance.
Q: What happens next for Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026?
Pakistan is preparing for their Super 8 matches. Their first Super 8 game is against New Zealand on Saturday, February 21st. The team needs to win these matches to continue in the tournament.