The aftermath of Pakistan’s heavy loss to India in the T20 World Cup 2026 is yet to die down with heated war of words being exchanged between the former players and the present stars in the team. It all started when the former legends questioned Shadab Khan’s place in the squad, and the allrounder was quick to hit back in a press conference on Wednesday.
Shadab pointed how the former players who may be are “legends” but failed to achieve what the present stars of Pakistan achieved: beating India in a World Cup. Shadab was mentioning about the 2021 T20 World Cup where Pakistan clinched a dominant win over India to break a decade-old jinx.
“Criticism is not in our hands; former cricketers have their own opinions. They were legends, but even they could not do what we have done. We have beaten India in a World Cup,” Shadab said in the post-match press conference.
However, Shahid Afridi has hit back at Shadab’s comment and said that winning one match against India do not give the current lot of players the immunity from criticism.
“Shadab said absolutely right. We didn’t win, they won. They got respect, but they couldn’t handle that respect. After 2021, they couldn’t manage their internal problems—neither individually nor as a team,” Afridi said while appearing on Samaa TV.
The former captain also reminded Shadab that these are the same former players who stood by him during his tough period and backed him by calling him the “backbone” of the team. Afridi took a jibe and asked Shadab to perform against quality oppositions.
“Shadab miyaan, your performance was against Namibia; now do it against New Zealand. Son, perform. We stood by you in tough times. Answer us with performances so that we become silent. Once you perform, we will go quiet ourselves, son,” Afridi minced no words.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is reportedly not pleased with Shadab after his strong remarks about former cricketers during the ongoing T20 World Cup.
According to Telecom Asia Sport, team manager Naveed Cheema reached out to Shadab and conveyed the board’s concerns, saying his comments at the post-match press conference had gone too far.
“Naveed Cheema has called to convey to Shadab that he was out of his limits in the press conference on Wednesday night. Shadab should know that all former players – including his father-in-law, Saqlain Mushtaq – are respectable and are of Pakistan. Shadab should respect them and should not use such language,” the report stated.
The report further mentioned that Cheema has also been asked to remind other players to keep their public statements focused strictly on cricket and match-related matters. It warned that crossing the line in future could invite disciplinary action.
Saqlain Mushtaq, who is also Shadab’s father-in-law, did not hide his disappointment. “Those were unwanted comments, and most of the players had played with me. In fact, I am also one of those who have not won an ICC event, but we won several big matches for Pakistan – Tests and ODIs,” Saqlain told Telecom Asia Sport.
Former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal also felt the comments were unnecessary. “Saying such words against former players warrants caution,” Kamran was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will next take on New Zealand in their opening Super Eight clash in Colombo on Saturday. They are scheduled to face England in Pallekele on February 24 before meeting Sri Lanka at the same venue on February 28.
