Shoaib Akhtar Slams Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Mohsin Naqvi, Babar Azam After Pakistan’s 61-Run Loss to India

Shoaib Akhtar Slams Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Mohsin Naqvi, Babar Azam After Pakistan’s 61-Run Loss to India

VoM News Desk | February 16, 2026 | 05:41 PM IST | Sports | Follow on Google News

Shoaib Akhtar Slams PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi, Babar Azam After Pakistan’s 61-Run Loss to India

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar launched a scathing attack on Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi and former skipper Babar Azam following Pakistan’s crushing 61-run defeat to India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Reacting after the loss, Akhtar said India looked like a side determined to defend their title and accused Pakistan of surrendering meekly in a high-pressure encounter.

“We were nowhere in the match. 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 is that while we once fought with India on the ground, today we can’t even dream of beating them,” Akhtar said during a TV appearance.

He did not hold back in criticising the PCB leadership, saying, “One guy who does not know anything has become the Pakistan Cricket Board’s chairman. What can you do? How will the team run? You have made a superstar out of a player who cannot win you a game. The biggest crime is to give a particular job to incompetent people.” He went on to describe the PCB chief as “incompetent” and unfit for the role.

India Dominate as Pakistan Collapse

The match, played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, saw India register their eighth win over Pakistan in T20 World Cup history, extending their head-to-head record to 8-1.

After Pakistan opted to field, India posted a competitive 175/7, powered by a blazing 77 off 40 balls from Ishan Kishan. Captain Suryakumar Yadav contributed 32, while Shivam Dube added a quick 27.

Can Pakistan Still Qualify for Super 8 After 61-Run Loss to India in T20 World Cup 2026

For Pakistan, Saim Ayub was the standout bowler with figures of 3/25, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Tariq and Salman Ali Agha chipped in with a wicket each.

Chasing 176, Pakistan’s innings unraveled almost immediately. Hardik Pandya removed Sahibzada Farhan for a duck, and Jasprit Bumrah dismissed both Saim Ayub and skipper Salman Ali Agha in quick succession, leaving Pakistan reeling at 13/3.

Babar Azam struggled for fluency before being dismissed for 5 by Axar Patel, reducing Pakistan to 34/4. Usman Khan briefly resisted with 44 off 34 balls, but regular wickets derailed the chase.

India’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, with Axar (2/29), Hardik (2/16), Bumrah (2/17) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/17) sharing the spoils. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 114 in 18 overs.

The defeat has left Pakistan’s Super 8 hopes hanging by a thread and triggered fresh scrutiny over leadership, selection and long-term planning within Pakistan cricket.

VoM News Desk

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