Pakistan’s Shadab Khan (left) celebrates a wicket with teammate Usman Khan throughout their ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026 match towards Namibia on the Sinhalese Sports activities Membership (SSC) Floor, Colombo, February 18, 2026. — AFP
Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan on Wednesday addressed current criticism from former cricketers after the crew certified for the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026 Tremendous Eights with a 102-run victory over Namibia in Colombo.
Addressing a post-match press convention after the sport, Shadab argued that the previous cricketers couldn’t do what the present crop of gamers have achieved, highlighting their victory over India within the 2021 version of the T20 World Cup, which was Pakistan’s first-ever towards their rivals in a mega occasion.
“Former cricketers have their own opinions. They were legends, but even they could not do achieve what we have. We have beaten India in a World Cup,” Shadab informed reporters.
The Inexperienced Shirts started their marketing campaign with a victory over the Netherlands earlier than thumping the US of America (USA).
The 2009 champions, nonetheless, suffered a gruelling 61-run defeat towards arch-rivals India of their third group-stage fixture of the match.
The outcome triggered widespread criticism from former cricketers and analysts, together with legendary batter Mohammad Yousuf, who insisted that the time was up for the senior trio of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab.
“Time’s up for Shaheen, Babar, and Shadab. Pakistan’s T20 squad needs new performers, not empty wins against weaker sides,” Yousuf had written.
Former captain Shahid Afridi echoed Yousuf’s remarks, suggesting dropping the senior trio for his or her essential match towards Namibia.
“If I were to make the decision, I would bench Babar, I would bench Shaheen, and I would also bench Shadab. I would play the new boys and give the youngsters a chance. For our match against Namibia, I would back them, give them confidence, and let them play,” Afridi had mentioned.
Shadab acknowledged that the aspect made errors within the India recreation, saying they need to have received it. “But our goal is to win the World Cup, and we are following our process.”
Shadab backed the nationwide crew’s present kind, stating they have been on the “right track”, earlier than stressing the necessity for his or her continued progress forward within the match.
The all-rounder acknowledged the problem of the Tremendous Eights stage, throughout which they are going to be locking horns with New Zealand, England and co-hosts Sri Lanka.
“We are on the right track. We need to continue the good things we have been doing. Our batting must carry on in the same way. Sahibzada Farhan is in good form,” Shadab continued.
“The Super Eight will be difficult. These will be high-pressure matches. Ramadan has begun, and it will be like our 12th player,” he concluded.
