In a heated response to mounting criticism from former players, Shadab Khan, the vice-captain of the Pakistan cricket team, has highlighted that those criticizing the current squad have failed to achieve what his team accomplished in 2021: defeating India in a World Cup match. This remark comes in the wake of Pakistan's recent 61-run loss to India in the T20 World Cup, a defeat that has drawn sharp criticism from various cricketing legends.

Speaking candidly, Shadab acknowledged the entitlement of former cricketers to express their opinions, yet he asserted that the comparison is unfair given the historic success of the current team. “Our former cricketers have their own opinions, and they have done great things for Pakistan. But at the end of the day, we as a team have achieved results, like defeating India in 2021. They never did that,” he explained.

Shadab, alongside prominent players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, played crucial roles in Pakistan's stunning 10-wicket victory over India in a group-stage match of the 2021 T20 World Cup, marking one of the few high points in Pakistan's World Cup history against their arch-rivals.

However, opinions diverged on the significance of these achievements. Former fast bowler Mohammad Amir weighed in on the debate during a recent episode of the Pakistani Game Show, stating that while the 2021 victory was commendable, the dynamics between the two teams have changed significantly over the years. “Earlier, the Indian team feared us because they knew we could beat them. Now they don’t take us seriously,” Amir remarked.

Adding to the discourse, former player Basit Ali criticized Shadab for responding to criticism from his father-in-law, renowned spinner Saqlain Mushtaq. “You should not say these things to your father-in-law. He shouldn’t have replied to his father-in-law like that,” Ali commented on ARY News, questioning Shadab's credibility and selection based on personal connections rather than performance.

These comments bring to light the ongoing tension between past and present players, as the current squad grapples with the weight of expectations and legacy from those who have come before them.