The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 saw Pakistan lose to India by 61 runs, sparking a furious reaction. Former pace great Shoaib Akhtar launched a vicious attack on the team’s selection culture, leadership, and cricket governance. After the defeat in Colombo, Akhtar issued a warning, saying that weak management and bad decision-making was “destroying Pakistan cricket,” despite India’s strong all-around performance to bolster their championship defense. Sunday’s high-stakes match at the R. Premadasa Stadium revealed India’s well-known weaknesses as they established a dominant 175/7 before elimiating Pakistan for 114 in 18 overs.
Pakistan’s chances of making it to the Super 8 of the 2026 T20 World Cup: What Salman Ali Agha’s squad needs following a crushing loss to India
When Pakistan chose to bowl, India gained early momentum. Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper-batter, hit a game-winning 77 off 40 balls with a strike rate of 192.50, hitting 10 fours and three sixes. He established the stage for a competitive total with his aggressive strokeplay, which pushed India through the powerplay.
India maintained its scoring pace during the middle overs with to inputs from Tilak Varma (25), skipper Suryakumar Yadav (32), and Shivam Dube (27 off 17). India closed impressively at 175/7 thanks to a late flourish from Rinku Singh. Saim Ayub shone out for Pakistan with 3 for 25, but the attack found it difficult to keep up with India’s scoring pace.
Pakistan’s chase had a poor start and never recovered. They lost skipper Salman Agha, Saim Ayub, and Sahibzada Farhan in rapid succession as they fell to 13/3 in two overs. The problem worsened when Babar Azam’s brief visit ended at five.
Shaheen Afridi struck 23 late in the innings, while Usman Khan’s 44 off 34 provided fight, but wickets dropped often as the necessary rate increased. The bowlers from India carried out their strategies with accuracy. Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy dominated the middle overs to ensure that Pakistan was bowled out for 114 after Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah delivered early blows.
Shoaib Akhtar had one of the most outspoken reactions to the loss, criticizing both team culture and leadership.
Giving a huge role to someone who is inept is the worst crime in the world, Akhtar said, adding that any organization may be destroyed by a week leadership structure. He said that the existing cricket administration is unable to manage Pakistani cricket and cautioned that poor governance is causing frequent defeats on the field.
He also attacked the team’s responsibility and selecting culture. He said that Pakistan’s system favors players who don’t perform well in pivotal games, saying, “When you choose and back the wrong people, you will keep facing the same results.”
Akhtar acknowledged that Pakistan was outperformed after analyzing the loss. “We didn’t play at all in the game. He said that Pakistan used to fight India on an equal footing but now finds it difficult to compete, saying, “These are not the talents that will handle pressure.”
Akhtar understood India’s strength while criticizing Pakistan’s system, pointing out that the reigning champions are still among the tournament’s most complete teams.
Beyond only the score, the defeat has increased interest in Pakistani cricket. Concerns about player responsibility, tactical knowledge, and leadership stability have come up again, reiterating worries following earlier ICC tournament losses.
The decisive win solidifies India’s position as a legitimate championship contender. The squad seems well-prepared for knockout-stage pressure with their powerful top-order starts, depth in the middle order, and spin-heavy approach that can control the middle overs.
In the meantime, Pakistan is under increasing pressure to promptly fix structural issues if they want to be competitive in moderm T20 cricket.
FAQs
1. Who won the IND vs PAK match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?
India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
2. What was India’s total score against Pakistan?
India posted 175/7 in 20 overs, led by a brilliant 77 off 40 balls from Ishan Kishan.
3. How many runs did Pakistan score in the chase?
Pakistan were bowled out for 114 runs in 18 overs while chasing 176.
4. Who was the top scorer for India?
Ishan Kishan was the top scorer with 77 runs off 40 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes.
5. Who were the standout bowlers for India?
Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah provided early breakthroughs, while Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy controlled the middle overs.
6. What did Shoaib Akhtar say after Pakistan’s loss?
Shoaib Akhtar criticised Pakistan’s team selection, leadership structure, and cricket governance, warning that weak management is damaging Pakistan cricket.
7. How did Pakistan start their run chase?
Pakistan had a disastrous start, losing three wickets for just 13 runs in the first two overs.
8. Who scored the most runs for Pakistan?
Usman Khan top-scored with 44 off 34 balls, while Shaheen Afridi added 23 late in the innings.
9. What does this defeat mean for Pakistan’s Super 8 chances?
Pakistan now face a must-win scenario in their remaining group matches to keep their Super 8 qualification hopes alive.
10. How strong does India look in the 2026 T20 World Cup?
With a powerful top order, middle-order depth, and effective spin attack, India look like strong contenders to defend their title.
