Pakistan suffered a crushing 61-run defeat against archrivals India in a Group A blockbuster clash at Colombo on Sunday. Bowled out for just 114, Pakistan’s performance drew sharp criticism from cricketing icons, former players and fans alike.
With the victory, India secured their spot in the Super Eight, leaving Pakistan with no margin for error. They must defeat Namibia in their final group-stage match on February 18 to remain in contention.
The criticism was swift and uncompromising. Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf targeted key figures of the current squad, saying, “Time’s up” for pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and all-rounder Shadab Khan. “Pakistan’s T20 squad needs new performers, not empty wins against weaker sides,” Yousuf added, highlighting the urgent need for fresh talent.
Ramiz Raja, former player and commentator, described Pakistan’s batting display as “a bit of a disaster”. He pointed out that India has been fielding a largely unchanged bowling attack against Pakistan over the past few years, yet the batsmen continue to underperform, showing no signs of growth.
Ahmed Shahzad was equally scathing, calling the defeat “pathetic cricket” and lamenting, “Same old faces, same old results. Please don’t fool the nation anymore.” He also suggested opportunities for young talent like Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, and Salman Mirza, emphasizing that positive change is still possible.
Inside the team, Pakistan player Sohaib Maqsood blamed the bowling, saying, “It’s by far the reason for today’s defeat. Even 140 could have been tough to chase on this pitch, which isn’t a 180-run pitch.” He questioned the decision to bowl first, noting that Pakistan had prepared on similar surfaces against Australia prior to the World Cup.
Sports presenter Zainab Abbas described the match as “a one-sided affair” that reflected the widening gap between India and Pakistan in T20 cricket over the years. She criticized the reliance on established players who have consistently failed to deliver in major tournaments, writing, “The ones Pakistan have backed and relied on in bilaterals have put up a poor show in tournaments, and not for the first time.”
As Pakistan looks ahead to its clash against Namibia, the pressure is mounting not only to win but also to prove that the team can rise above repeated disappointments. For a nation with cricket woven into its identity, Sunday’s defeat is a stark reminder that the era of relying on old guard performances may be nearing its end.
