Pakistan should move on from India loss, aim is to win T20 World Cup: Shadab Khan
India Today
Shadab Khan says Pakistan must move on from their loss to India and stay focused on winning the T20 World Cup, stressing that criticism and selection debates will not derail their campaign.
Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has urged his side to move on from their defeat to India earlier in the T20 World Cup 2026 and refocus on their ultimate objective of winning the tournament, insisting that the team remains clear about its goals despite mounting criticism.
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The loss to India had triggered heavy scrutiny, particularly because Pakistan had made a promising start. Captain Salman Ali Agha struck in the very first over to remove Abhishek Sharma, raising expectations of a closely fought contest between the two rivals.
Instead, Pakistan slipped from a position of strength as India surged ahead to claim a comprehensive 61-run victory, a result that briefly put Pakistan’s Super Eights qualification in doubt. They eventually sealed their spot with a commanding 102-run win over Namibia on Wednesday.
Speaking after the Namibia victory, Shadab addressed the chatter around team selection and tactical calls, including Babar Azam not being sent in to bat and Shaheen Shah Afridi being left out of the playing XI.
“As a professional, you can’t take these things to heart. The team’s environment and messages are very clear, so it’s not a problem for any player. Everyone is trying to help the team win,” Shadab said.
Shadab Khan says Pakistan must move on from their loss to India and stay focused on winning the T20 World Cup, stressing that criticism and selection debates will not derail their campaign.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan paid glowing tribute to outgoing head coach Jonathan Trott, saying the former England batter played a key role in steering the team in the right direction and lifting the standards of Afghan cricket.
ICC Men's T20 World Cup: South Africa pacer Corbin Bosch said his side's experience of playing three group league matches in Ahmedabad has given the team valuable clarity ahead of their Super Eights fixture against India.
T20 World Cup 2026: Ricky Ponting was heavily critical of the Australian side led by Mitchell Marsh following their shock group-stage exit after losses to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
T20 World Cup 2026: South Africa breezed past the UAE to maintain their 100 percent record in the T20 World Cup 2026 and get ready for the India clash in Ahmedabad. The Proteas won the match by six wickets.
T20 World Cup: Australia's early exit from the ongoing ICC tournament could cost them a place at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Jammu and Kashmir entered their maiden Ranji Trophy final after defeating Bengal by six wickets in the semifinal on February 18, 2026, drawing congratulations from chief minister Omar Abdullah, BCCI president Mithun Manhas and former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan.
The Real Madrid-Benfica clash in the UEFA Champions League ended in controversy as Vinicius Jr. alleged that Gianluca Prestianni racially abused him after he got the decisive goal in Lisbon.
T20 World Cup: Mohsin Naqvi said that the actual hero behind Pakistan's India match boycott U-turn was Sri Lanka president Anura Kumara Dissanayake and thanked him for his timely intervention.
T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe missed out on qualifying for the tournament in 2024, but this time around, Sikandar Raza's men have secured their berth in the Super 8. It was Raza, with his inspirational leadership and attitude, aims to keep his side grounded and continue their journey towards bigger goals at the T20 World Cup 2026.
T20 World Cup, India vs Netherlands: Already through to the Super Eights, India will look to extend their unbeaten run and cap off their group-stage campaign on a high when they take on the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
