Pakistan Players ‘Hell Bent on Talking About India’, ‘Living in the Past’; ‘Just Not Concerned About Themselves’

The fallout from the T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash between India and Pakistan has sparked a fresh debate within Pakistan cricket, with current and former players trading sharp remarks over performances and past results.

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan responded to criticism from former stars including Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousuf, defending his side by pointing to Pakistan’s memorable 10-wicket victory over India at the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai. Shadab’s comments, however, triggered backlash from several ex-players, among them Basit Ali, Ahmed Shehzad, Afridi, and even his father-in-law Saqlain Mushtaq.

Reacting to the controversy, former India pacer Mohit Sharma criticised the discourse, arguing that Pakistan players remain overly focused on India rather than their own development.

“All the Pakistan cricketers are still talking about it. They are not concerned about themselves. They are fighting about who defeated India and who did not,” Mohit Sharma said during a discussion on Cricbuzz. He added that dwelling on past victories instead of addressing present challenges could hinder progress.

India’s dominance over Pakistan in World Cups has long been a talking point. India’s only defeat to Pakistan across 50-over and T20 World Cups came in 2021. More recently, India strengthened their T20 World Cup head-to-head record with a commanding win in Colombo earlier this month.

Former India batter Manoj Tiwary also weighed in, suggesting that Pakistan cricket faces deeper structural and leadership challenges. He emphasised the need for clarity and trust within the setup, pointing to visible frustration during recent matches.

Pakistan’s Super 8 encounter against New Zealand in Colombo was abandoned due to rain, with the team now preparing for its next fixture against England.

The ongoing exchanges underscore the scrutiny surrounding Pakistan’s campaign, as well as the broader pressures associated with high-profile India–Pakistan rivalries.