Pakistan vs India: 61-Run Loss in T20 World Cup 2026

Pakistan suffered a crushing 61-run loss to India in their high-voltage clash during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Colombo. The team was bowled out for just 114 runs, triggering widespread criticism from former players, cricket experts, and fans.

With this victory, India secured their place in the Super Eight stage, while Pakistan must now defeat Namibia in their final group match on February 18 to stay in the tournament.

Former Cricketers Slam Pakistan’s Performance

Ramiz Raja Calls It a ‘Disaster’

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja described the defeat as “a bit of a disaster,” especially pointing to the team’s poor batting display. He said India has been using the same bowling attack against Pakistan for the past few years, yet Pakistan’s batters have failed to adapt or improve.

According to Raja, the lack of growth in Pakistan’s batting approach remains a serious concern in major ICC tournaments.

Mohammad Yousuf Questions Senior Players

Ex-captain Mohammad Yousuf openly criticized senior players, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Shadab Khan, stating that it may be “time’s up” for some experienced names in the T20 setup.

He emphasized that Pakistan needs new match-winners rather than relying on comfortable victories against weaker teams.

Ahmed Shahzad Demands Immediate Changes

Former opener Ahmed Shahzad called the performance “pathetic cricket” and said it reflects the ongoing struggles of Pakistan cricket. He expressed frustration over repeated failures in major tournaments and urged management to stop repeating the same selection strategy.

Shahzad suggested including fresh talent such as Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, and Salman Mirza, stating they deserve opportunities at the highest level.

Questions Raised Over Tactics and Bowling Strategy

Sohaib Maqsood Criticizes Bowling Decision

Pakistan cricketer Sohaib Maqsood blamed the team’s bowling performance for the defeat. He argued that the pitch was not suitable for a high-scoring game and that even a target of 140 could have been competitive.

Maqsood also questioned the decision to bowl first, noting that Pakistan had prepared on similar pitches before the World Cup and had previously preferred batting first in such conditions.

International Experts Highlight India’s Dominance

Michael Vaughan Praises India’s Mental Strength

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said India appears to have a psychological advantage over Pakistan in big matches. He noted that India looks stronger in every department and handles high-pressure situations with greater confidence.

Harsha Bhogle Points to Pressure on Pakistan

Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle observed that excessive pressure from Pakistan’s cricket administration may have affected the players. He felt the team looked nervous and uncertain throughout the match.

Zainab Abbas Reflects on Growing Gap

Sports presenter Zainab Abbas described the contest as a “one-sided affair,” saying it reflects the widening gap between the two teams in recent years. She added that the players Pakistan consistently backs in bilateral series have struggled to deliver in major tournaments.

Sachin Tendulkar Highlights Turning Point

Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar praised India’s performance, especially in the powerplay overs. He credited Ishan Kishan for setting the tone early in the innings and applauded India’s disciplined bowling attack for sealing the victory.

Tendulkar said India remained in control throughout the match and fully deserved the win.

Pakistan’s Road Ahead in T20 World Cup 2026

The loss has intensified debate over team selection, strategy, and leadership within Pakistan cricket. With their tournament hopes still alive, Pakistan must now focus on defeating Namibia to qualify for the next round.

However, the criticism following this high-profile defeat highlights deeper concerns about Pakistan’s performance in ICC tournaments, particularly against top-ranked teams like India.

As the T20 World Cup 2026 progresses, all eyes will remain on Pakistan to see whether they can bounce back and prove their critics wrong.