Following India’s 61-run dominating win over Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan team and cricket administration.Speaking live on ABP News, Akhtar said Pakistan was completely outplayed.“We were nowhere in the match. The Shaheen played… he was bowling at 125 kmph. This is not the requirement of modern-day cricket. These are not the talents that will handle pressure. For the last 15-20 years, there has been no investment. The sad reality of the situation is while we once fought with India on the ground at one point, today we can’t even dream of beating them,” he said.Akhtar also criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board leadership and players.“One guy who does not know anything has become Pakistan Cricket Board’s chairman (Mohsin Naqvi). What can you do? How will the team run? You have made a superstar out of a player (Babar Azam) who cannot win you a game. The biggest job in the world is to give a particular job to imcompetent people,” he added.Coming to the match, Pakistan won the toss and opted to field first. India rode on a brilliant 77 off 40 balls from Ishan Kishan to post 175/7 on a challenging surface. Captain Suryakumar Yadav contributed 32 off 29 deliveries, while Shivam Dube added 27 off 17 balls.Saim Ayub was Pakistan’s most successful bowler with 3/25 in four overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Tariq and Salman Ali Agha chipped in with a wicket each.Pakistan collapse in chasePakistan’s run chase never gained momentum. Sahibzada Farhan fell for a four-ball duck to Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in the next over to reduce Pakistan to 13/3 inside two overs.Babar Azam managed just five runs off seven balls before Axar Patel dismissed him, leaving Pakistan struggling at 34/4. Though Usman Khan counter-attacked with a brisk 44 off 34 balls, wickets kept tumbling at the other end.From 71/4 at the halfway stage, Pakistan collapsed dramatically. Axar Patel broke the key partnership, and India’s bowlers tightened the screws. Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Abrar Ahmed departed in quick succession.Hardik Pandya sealed the victory by dismissing Usman Khan, bundling Pakistan out for 114 in 18 overs.Axar Patel (2/29) led the bowling effort for India, while Hardik Pandya (2/16), Jasprit Bumrah (2/17) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/17) also claimed two wickets each.
