Shadab Khan says Ramadan is Pakistan's "12th Man" for T20 World Cup 2026

Pakistan player Shadab Khan believes Ramadan is their "12th Man" for the T20 World Cup 2026, giving them a morale boost. This is a unique spiritual angle for the team.
By Newsroom | Sports, Cricket |

Islamabad – Ahead of Pakistan's Super 8 fixtures in the T20 World Cup, player Shadab Khan has drawn attention by referring to the holy month of Ramadan as the team's "12th man." This statement has sparked discussion among fans and media, particularly in the wake of Pakistan's previous loss to India and their subsequent victory over Namibia.

'Ramadan is here and now we have...': Pakistan player Shadab Khan plays religion card, warns teams ahead of Super 8 fixture vs NZ - 1

Team's Focus and Ramadan Connection

Following Pakistan's qualification for the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup, achieved through a decisive win against Namibia, Shadab Khan shared his perspective on the team's current standing and aspirations. He stated that the team is focused on winning the trophy and has moved past the earlier defeat to India.

'Ramadan is here and now we have...': Pakistan player Shadab Khan plays religion card, warns teams ahead of Super 8 fixture vs NZ - 2

  • Moving Forward: Khan indicated that the team would continue with strategies that have proven effective, emphasizing the need for the batting unit to perform and bowlers to maintain accuracy.

  • Ramadan's Influence: Khan explicitly linked the commencement of Ramadan to a boost in team morale, calling it their "12th man." He suggested this spiritual element provides an "unbreakable morale boost" and is a catalyst for a title charge. He was quoted saying, "And now Ramadan has started, humara 12th man toh saath hi hai." This sentiment suggests a belief that the fasting month provides an unseen advantage or support.

Performance and Criticism

Pakistan's path to the Super 8s was marked by a significant loss to India, which led to considerable scrutiny of the team's performance and tactical decisions. However, their subsequent commanding win against Namibia, where Sahibzada Farhan scored a century and Khan himself contributed with runs and wickets, secured their progression.

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'Ramadan is here and now we have...': Pakistan player Shadab Khan plays religion card, warns teams ahead of Super 8 fixture vs NZ - 3

  • Post-Namibia Win: Khan's remarks about the "12th man" came after the Namibia match, which also saw a strong bowling performance where spinners Usman Tariq and Shadab Khan shared seven wickets.

  • Addressing Criticism: Khan also addressed criticism from former players, stating that the team concentrates on its own strategy rather than external opinions. He remarked that the team is on the right track to achieve its goal of winning the T20 World Cup.

PCB Warning Regarding Player Comments

Separately, reports indicate that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a warning to Shadab Khan concerning his public statements, particularly those perceived as critical of former Pakistani cricketers.

'Ramadan is here and now we have...': Pakistan player Shadab Khan plays religion card, warns teams ahead of Super 8 fixture vs NZ - 4

  • "What We Did, Legends Couldn't Do": Khan reportedly made a comment that his team's achievements surpassed those of past legends. This statement, made after his performance against Namibia, has drawn criticism from former players like Mohammad Amir, Basit Ali, and Shahid Afridi.

  • PCB's Stance: According to reports, the PCB expressed displeasure through team manager Naveed Cheema and advised Khan to control his language and refrain from using harsh terms against former greats. The board has reportedly warned of further action if such comments are repeated.

  • Former Players' Reactions: Shahid Afridi urged Khan to perform against major teams, highlighting that his recent strong performance was against Namibia. Basit Ali also criticized Khan's remarks, questioning his role and support within the team.

Team's Goal and Future Matches

Despite the off-field discussions, the team's primary objective remains winning the T20 World Cup. Their focus now shifts to the challenging Super 8 stage, which includes matches against New Zealand, England, and co-hosts Sri Lanka. Khan has acknowledged that this stage will be a step up in competition.

  • Super 8 Opponents: Pakistan is scheduled to face New Zealand in their first Super 8 game, followed by matches against England and Sri Lanka.

  • Team's Ambition: Khan reiterated that the team's ultimate goal is to win the trophy, indicating belief in their ability to compete at the highest level.

Key Figures and Events

  • Shadab Khan: Pakistan all-rounder, credited Ramadan as the team's "12th man" and drew criticism for comments about former players.

  • Sahibzada Farhan: Pakistan opener, scored a century in the match against Namibia.

  • Ramadan: The holy month, which Khan linked to a morale boost for the team.

  • Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB): Issued a warning to Shadab Khan regarding his public statements.

  • Naveed Cheema: Pakistan team manager, through whom the PCB reportedly conveyed its warning.

  • Mohammad Amir, Basit Ali, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Saqlain Mushtaq: Former Pakistani cricketers who have commented on Shadab Khan's statements.

  • T20 World Cup 2026: The tournament where these events are taking place.

Expert Analysis

  • "The emphasis on a spiritual element like Ramadan as a '12th man' is a unique way to frame team motivation. It taps into cultural and religious significance which can indeed be a powerful psychological tool for athletes, especially during a high-pressure tournament." - Cricket Analyst (Unnamed Source)

  • "Player comments about past legends are always sensitive. While players are encouraged to show confidence, directly comparing their achievements to 'legends' who couldn't do 'what we did' often invites backlash. The PCB's intervention suggests a desire to maintain decorum and respect for former cricketers, which is a standard practice in most sports organizations." - Sports Commentator (Unnamed Source)

Conclusion

Shadab Khan's linking of Ramadan to the team's performance as a "12th man" offers a glimpse into the team's current mindset, blending spiritual belief with sporting ambition. This narrative, however, is running parallel to significant commentary and criticism from former players and a subsequent warning from the PCB regarding Khan's remarks. As Pakistan enters the challenging Super 8 phase, the team faces the dual task of performing on the field and managing the discourse surrounding player statements. The effectiveness of Khan's "Ramadan 12th man" theory remains to be seen in the high-stakes matches ahead, while the PCB's directive highlights the ongoing need for careful communication from team representatives.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Shadab Khan say Ramadan is Pakistan's "12th Man" for the T20 World Cup 2026?
Shadab Khan believes the holy month of Ramadan gives the Pakistan team an "unbreakable morale boost" and acts as their "12th Man" during the T20 World Cup 2026. He feels this spiritual support helps them in their quest to win the trophy.
Q: What is the Pakistan team's main goal in the T20 World Cup 2026?
The Pakistan team's main goal is to win the T20 World Cup 2026 trophy. Player Shadab Khan stated that the team has moved past their earlier loss to India and is focused on achieving this objective.
Q: Did Shadab Khan face any issues for his comments?
Yes, reports say the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) warned Shadab Khan about his public statements, especially comments about former players. The PCB reportedly asked him to be careful with his language after he made remarks about his team's achievements.
Q: Who are Pakistan's opponents in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026?
After qualifying for the Super 8 stage, Pakistan is set to play against New Zealand, England, and co-hosts Sri Lanka. This stage will be a tougher test for the team.