Following Indiaโs crushing 61-run victory over Pakistan in their T20 World Cup 2026 clash, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar launched a scathing assessment of his side, claiming the Suryakumar Yadav-led team has arrived to defend their crown.
Akhtar didn’t mince words regarding Pakistan’s timid surrender, a result that extends Indiaโs dominant head-to-head record in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches to 8-1.
“We were absolutely nowhere in the match,” a furious Akhtar told the media. “The speed Shaheen was bowling atโ125 kmph. That is not what is required in modern-day cricket. The sad reality is that while we once fought India on the ground, today we cannot even dream of beating them.”
Akhtar also took aim at the Pakistan Cricket Board’s hierarchy. “A chap who knows absolutely nothing has become PCB chairman (Mohsin Naqvi). What can you expect? You have turned a player who cannot win you a game into a superstar (Babar Azam). The biggest crime is giving jobs to incompetent people.”
Regarding the match itself, Pakistan won the toss and opted to field first. A masterclass innings from Ishan Kishan (77 off 40), supported by crucial knocks from skipper Suryakumar Yadav (32 off 29) and Shivam Dube (27 off 17), steered India to a challenging total of 175/7 on a difficult pitch.
Saim Ayub (3/25) was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, whilst Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Tariq, and Salman Ali Agha chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Pakistan’s reply got off to a disastrous start. Sahibzada Farhan fell for a four-ball duck to Hardik Pandya, caught by a top-edge from Rinku Singh. In the following over, Jasprit Bumrah trapped Saim Ayub lbw for six before removing captain Salman Ali Agha for four, leaving Pakistan reeling at 13/3 in just two overs.
Babar Azam struggled to get going, and although Usman Khan counter-attacked with two boundaries against Axar Patel, the spinner had the last laugh by dismissing Babar for a laboured five runs off seven balls, sinking Pakistan further to 34/4.
At the halfway point, Pakistan were 71/4, with Usman and Shadab looking to rebuild. However, that 39-ball partnership was shattered by Axar Patel, with Ishan Kishan pulling off a brilliant stumping to remove Usman for 44.
From there, it was a procession. Mohammad Nawaz (4) fell to Kuldeep Yadav, and Pakistanโs collapse worsened when Shadab (14) was dismissed by Tilak Varma, caught by Dube.
Rinku Singhโs safe pair of hands gave Varun Chakravarthy his first wicket, removing Faheem Ashraf for a sluggish 10. Pakistan sank to 97/8, and on the very next ball, Abrar Ahmed was trapped lbw for a golden duck.
Hardik Pandya finished the job by cleaning up Usman Tariq, bundling Pakistan out for 114 in 18 overs to secure a humiliating defeat for the side.
Axar Patel (2/29) was India’s best bowler, closely supported by Pandya (2/16), Bumrah (2/17), and Chakravarthy (2/17).
ย
Also read:ย India throttle Pakistan, book Super Eight berth
