'India used to fear us': Pakistan's Mohammad Amir, Basit Ali blast Shadab Khan for digs at seniors
Times of India
by TOI SPORTS DESKFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Mohammad Amir and Basit Ali have criticized Shadab Khan for his response to former cricketer Shahid Afridi's comments about needing changes in Pakistan's cricket team following their loss to India in the T20 World Cup. Amir compared Pakistan's current team to the dominant side of the 1990s, noting that India no longer fears Pakistan as they once did. He pointed out that India’s lack of celebration after victories against Pakistan reflects a decline in respect for the team. Basit Ali added to the criticism, questioning Shadab’s role and performance, and even referenced a personal anecdote about Shadab's behavior during a tour with Pakistan A.
Shadab Khan defended himself by emphasizing that Pakistan was still focused on winning the World Cup, despite the loss to India. He reminded critics that it was Pakistan who defeated India in the 2021 World Cup, and highlighted that the team had only beaten India once in World Cup history. Shadab argued that the focus should remain on achieving their main goal of winning the tournament rather than dwelling on one match.
Amir’s comments came after Pakistan lost to India by 61 runs, a result that sparked calls for change from Afridi, who suggested dropping senior players like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam. Shadab, however, pushed back against these criticisms, asserting that the team should trust their process and work together to achieve success.
The internal conflicts within Pakistan’s cricket team highlight broader issues of leadership and performance under pressure. Amir and Basit’s criticism of Shadab raises questions about the team’s unity and decision-making, which could impact their ability to perform at the highest level in upcoming matches. The debate over whether to trust younger players or rely on seniors underscores the challenges of building a cohesive and effective squad.
This situation matters to readers interested in world cricket because it sheds light on the pressures faced by teams competing at the highest level. The dynamics within Pakistan’s team,
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/19/2026