'We defeated India' - not them: Shadab Khan takes a swipe at Mohammad Yousuf and Shahid Afridi after win vs NAM

Pakistan vs Namibia, T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan didn't hold back and responded to all the criticism directed towards the Pakistan cricket team, which particularly involves his place in the side, by stating that the former Pakistan cricketers have their opinions, and while they have done well for Pakistan, their only win in a World Cup against arch-rivals India came when the players, who are now been put under the microscope for their recent loss against the Men in Blue, were a part of, reminding some of the Pakistan greats that those criticising have not done anything remarkable against the defending champions.

"Our ex-cricketers have their own opinions. They have done well for Pakistan, and at the end of the day, they have also never defeated India in the World Cup. We were the ones who defeated India in the 2021 World Cup. In World Cups, we have beaten India only once. Yes, they are legends, but they have never done anything remarkable against India in the World Cup,” Shadab told reporters in the post-match press conference after sealing their spot in the Super 8s by convincingly beating Namibia in a one-sided contest.

“Criticism is something we can’t control. Every individual has his own opinion; they are free to have it," he had said before responding to all the criticism.

Former Pakistan star batter Mohammad Yousuf slammed Pakistan's meek surrender against India in the T20 World Cup Group A match on Sunday in Colombo, and questioned Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Babar Azam's spot in the Pakistan team, highlighting the need for new performers, and some of their strong performances against weaker teams.

“Time’s up for Shaheen, Babar, and Shadab. Pakistan’s T20 squad needs new performers, not empty wins against weaker sides,” Mohammad Yousuf wrote on X on Sunday, further elaborating on Monday, “Unless we remove political influence and personal agendas from Pakistan cricket, we cannot return to the team we once were. This is the darkest period in our cricketing history, and my heart bleeds for it. Incompetent individuals must be removed from office and from the team.”

India vs Pakistan - ICC World Cups Result | Afridi–Yousuf Era (1999–2016) vs Shadab Khan Core Era (2019–Present)

Shadab was quick to put his India performance behind him and made the most of the opportunity against Namibia, where he scored 36 off 22 balls, along with picking up three wickets.

“I feel that since I have made a comeback, I bowled one bad over, and because of that there is so much criticism. I don’t try to justify it. I can’t control these things. It was a bad day and a bad over. It’s T20 cricket; you can go for runs and take wickets as well. I don’t ponder too much about the criticism,” he reflected.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi agreed with Yousuf's observation, stating that he will bench the same three players his teammate pointed out - Shaheen, Babar, and Shadab.

“If it were up to me to make a decision, I would drop Shaheen, Babar, and Shadab. I would bench them all,” opined Afridi on a panel show for Samaa TV.

“They are all senior players who, in my opinion, have a responsibility to perform. You lose matches. But nobody loses like this. Nobody loses in such a one-sided manner. My point is, this is the Pakistan team; you have to fight. We have also played cricket; we have lost many times, but I don’t recall us ever playing or losing in this specific way. We have lost, but we fought,” a visibly upset Afridi went on to add.

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