After India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs in the T20 World Cup 2026 match, veteran Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar stated that the team captained by Suryakumar Yadav will be able to defend the title. He denounced the docile surrender of Pakistan. India now leads 8-1 after defeating their bitter rivals in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match. "We didn't play at all in the game. The Shaheen was bowling at 125 kmph when he played. Cricket in the present era does not require this. These are not the skills that can withstand stress. There hasn't been any investment for the past 15 to 20 years. Shoaib Akhtar stated on ABP News, "The sad truth of the situation is that even though we once fought India on the ground, we can't even imagine beating them today."

"Mohsin Naqvi, a complete idiot, has been appointed chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. What are you able to do? How will the team function? You have elevated a player that is unable to win you a game (Babar Azam) to the status of superstar. "Appointing incompetent individuals to a specific position is the greatest crime in the world," he continued.
According to Akhtar, Naqvi is "incompetent and 'jaahil'" and unfit to serve as the PCB chairman.Pakistan won the toss before the game and decided to field first. On a challenging pitch, India reached a competitive total of 175/7 thanks to a masterful effort by Ishan Kishan (77 off 40) and important knocks by captain Suryakumar Yadav (32 in 29 balls, with three fours) and Shivam Dube (27 in 17 balls, with three fours and a six).
While Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/31 in two overs), Usman Tariq (1/24 in four overs), and Agha (1/10 in two overs) also claimed wickets, Ayub (3/25 in four overs) was Pakistan's best bowler.

Pakistan had a terrible start to the run-chase as Rinku Singh made a top-edge catch to remove Sahibzada Farhan for a four-ball duck after he fell for a four-ball duck to Hardik Pandya.
Jasprit Bumrah dismissed captain Salman Ali Agha for four and trapped Saim Ayub leg before wicket for barely six in the following over. In the first two overs, Pakistan was 13/3.
Usman Khan counterattacked with two consecutive boundaries against Axar Patel in the fifth over, while Babar Azam began his innings slowly. Pakistan was reduced to 34/4 when the spin all-rounder had the final laugh and removed Babar for a seven-ball five.

Pakistan was 71/4 at the end of 10 overs, with Shadab (12*) and Usman (43*) undefeated. Axar ended the 39-ball partnership when Ishan Kishan removed Usman for a 34-ball 44, which included six fours and a six, with an outstanding stumping. At 73 in 10.4 overs, Pakistan was five runs behind.
Kuldeep claimed the sixth wicket as Shivam Dube caught Mohammad Nawaz (4), bringing Pakistan's total score to 78 in 11.4 overs.
When Tilak Varma removed Shadab (14) after Dube made another catch, Pakistan's demise became increasingly more apparent. Pakistan finished 12.1 overs at 78/7.
Varun Chakravarthy took his first wicket thanks to Rinku's safe hands, dismissing Faheem Ashraf for a slow 10-run score of 14 balls.

Abrar Ahmed was caught leg before wicket for a golden duck on the very next delivery after Pakistan collapsed to 97/8 in 15.3 overs. A catastrophic defeat was just one wicket away for Pakistan.
By dismissing Usman and dismissing Pakistan for 114 runs in 18 overs, Hardik sealed the victory.
The best bowler for India was Axar Patel (2/29 in four overs); other wickets were taken by Varun Chakravarthy (2/17 in three overs), Jasprit Bumrah (2/17 in two overs), and Hardik Pandya (2/16 in three overs).