Clash between Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yusuf: Pakistan cricket is going through a tough time after its humiliating 61-run defeat against India last Sunday. After weeks of drama of not taking the field against India, Pakistan finally reversed their decision and played the match and lost once again. Although the men in green have qualified for the Super 8s, concerns remain.
Ahead of the Super 8 match against New Zealand on Saturday, former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yousuf got into an argument during a talk show named ‘Har Lamhaa Purjosh’. The fight started when he, while speaking on a podcast, claimed that the Pakistan team was overconfident after their historic 10-wicket win over India in the T20 World Cup 2021.
Mohammad Yousuf claims that Pakistan team is overconfident
According to Mohammad Yousuf’s claims, the players’ attitude changed as they felt it was inevitable after their only win against India. He alleged that some cricketers remain busy on their phones during team meetings and ignore the instructions and suggestions of the head coach. Yusuf believed that discipline and humility turned into overconfidence after this victory.
Yusuf’s comment went viral on social media, Shadab Khan also criticized him during the press conference and said that he has not earned anything during his playing days against India. Now Shoaib Malik, who was a part of the 2021 team, has come forward to share his views.
Shoaib Malik is different from Mohammad Yusuf’s statement on discipline
Shoaib Malik said, “You heard what Yusuf Bhai had to say, and he talked about the World T20 match in Dubai Stadium in 2021. And I want to talk about it because I was a part of that team. And I am an eyewitness because I was a part of the team.”
Here is the video
Shoaib Malik exposed the rumors spread by some former cricketers that current Pakistani players do not respect seniors and coaches and use cellphones during team meetings, saying that in 2021 he was part of the playing eleven and this never happened.pic.twitter.com/HMwafChG7M
– Pakistan Cricket Team USA FC (@DoctorofCricket) 19 February 2026
“Till then, there was no such thing. Saqlain Bhai (Saqlain Mushtaq) was our head coach. And whenever Saqlain Bhai conducted meetings, I never saw any player in the middle of that World Cup.”
Finally Shoaib Malik said, “The meeting was going on and someone was looking at the cell phone. There is nothing like that. After that I was never a part of the team. Yes, there was a foreign tour of Bangladesh. There was no such thing there either.”
Pakistan’s batting more dependent on Sahibzada Farhan?
The Men in Green won their final game against Namibia, with Sahibzada Farhan scoring a brilliant century. He has also been the leading run scorer for the team and the tournament. Apart from him, other batsmen failed to perform, and Pakistan, against a quality Indian bowling attack, faltered in the middle overs.
New Zealand is a very unpredictable team in ICC tournaments. They perform at their best in the knockout stages. Salman Ali Aga’s team will have to be very cautious against the Kiwis and find a way to win and start their Super 8 campaign with a win. If Sahibzada Farhan gets out early in the game, Pakistan’s middle order will be tested.
Also read: India vs Pakistan once again? Former cricketers made explosive predictions for T20 World Cup 2026
