India’s emphatic T20 World Cup triumph has drawn praise from across the cricketing world, including several former Pakistan players who acknowledged the strength of the team that lifted the trophy.
The Men’s team secured the title with a dominant 96-run victory over New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, posting a massive 255/5 before bowling out their opponents for 159 in 19 overs. Former Pakistan Captain Shahid Afridi was among the most prominent voices congratulating the champions, sharing his reaction in a video posted on X.
Congratulations to Team India on a fantastic victory. Brilliant performances from Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Jasprit Bumrah today. Outstanding cricket and a well-deserved win.@ICC @BCCI @BLACKCAPS#T20WorldCup2026 #T20WC2026 #WorldCupFinal #TeamIndia… pic.twitter.com/dxv7TbbvtI
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 8, 2026
Afridi said the overall balance and depth of the squad played a decisive role in India’s success. “The World Cup is over. I think India deserved the title. They have a great team combination. The players sitting on the bench were also as good as the playing eleven. This is why I say that your bench needs to be strong. India’s bench was very strong, they could have picked anyone from there and slotted them into the playing eleven. They played the whole tournament as champions.”
Afridi highlights India’s match-winners
The former all-rounder also highlighted several individual performances that stood out during the final and throughout the tournament.
“Sanju Samson was outstanding. He got the opportunity, and he delivered with his sensible hitting and his ability to build the innings. Abhishek Sharma also performed well tonight. Ishan Kishan also performed outstandingly, just like he had performed against Pakistan. Jasprit Bumrah was the backbone of their bowling, who has carried India on his back for a long time with his impressive performances. Be it with the new ball, old ball, slower one or yorker, he is one of the best bowlers in my opinion,” Afridi added.
In the caption accompanying his video message, he also congratulated the team for their performance. “Congratulations to Team India on a fantastic victory. Brilliant performances from Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Jasprit Bumrah today. Outstanding cricket and a well-deserved win.”
Pakistan greats credit India’s cricket system
Other former Pakistan players also acknowledged the reasons behind India’s sustained success on the international stage.
Rashid Latif explained that frequent appearances in major tournament finals had helped the team develop a strong mentality under pressure. “When you regularly reach finals of big events players also get accustomed to winning,” Latif said, as quoted by PTI.
Former Pakistan Captain Javed Miandad also pointed to India’s cricketing ecosystem as a key factor behind their achievements. “Their team (India) is now reaping the benefits of a strong process-driven cricket structure,” Miandad said, as quoted by PTI.
Miandad further added that the strength of India’s system was visible in the quality of players being produced across formats. “If you look at the talent they are producing now, it is because of their strong structure. They are not short on batters, spinners or fast bowlers and their young players are result-driven and have game awareness.”
Reflecting on the importance of a winning environment, he continued, “We had this environment in our dressing room once and we won frequently.”
Calls for reflection within Pakistan cricket
Some former Pakistan cricketers used India’s success as an opportunity to call for introspection within their own cricket structure.
Sikander Bakht urged decision-makers to focus on improving the system rather than searching for excuses after defeats. “We must stop finding excuses for our failures and take the right decisions,” Bakht said, as quoted by PTI.
Muhammad Wasim also echoed that sentiment, stressing the need to acknowledge the strength of India’s team rather than deflecting criticism. “We generally try to find faults and float conspiracy theories whenever we lose to India or they do well in big events. We need to stop that and accept their team is a top side and we must try to improve ourselves by learning from our mistakes,” Wasim said, as quoted by PTI.
Abhishek Sharma’s resilience praised
India’s victory in the final was built on a dominant batting performance that set the tone early in the match.
Abhishek Sharma played a crucial role at the top of the order, scoring a rapid 52 off 21 deliveries after struggling earlier in the tournament. His aggressive start helped India establish momentum alongside Sanju Samson, with the pair adding 98 runs in the first seven overs.
Speaking to broadcasters after the final, Sharma acknowledged that support from the team management helped him navigate a difficult phase in the competition. “I mean, of course, but the one thing was very clear… the coach and the captain, they had the faith in me. And even I was doubting myself because it was not an easy tournament for me. I’ve never experienced this before, but still playing the first World Cup.”
Former Pakistan international Basit Ali also came out in support of Sharma after the young batter faced criticism earlier in the tournament, including remarks from former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who had described him as a “slogger” during his run of low scores.
Ali argued that players with Sharma’s ability should be valued rather than judged solely on short-term form. “Even if he has scored three ducks, form is temporary, but class is permanent. When people start giving such a classy player names, it honestly feels disappointing to me. The kind of names being thrown around… I just wish we had two or three players like him in our country as well,” he said on a TV show Har Lamha Purjosh on ARY News.
