Priyank Panchal took a dig at Pakistan: India-Pakistan off-field drama never disappoints. After Pakistan’s 61-run defeat against India in the 2026 T20 World Cup last Sunday, he was trolled and criticized for his performance against the No. 1 T20I team. It was one-way traffic for India as they extended their lead to 8-1 in the T20 World Cup editions.
Due to diplomatic tension between India and Pakistan, the Pakistani team is playing its matches in Sri Lanka. They have not played their best games against bigger opponents in the competitions so far and almost lost the first match against the Netherlands.
Priyank Panchal took a funny dig at Pakistan
Before the Super 8 match against New Zealand, he has once again been trolled, this time by Priyank Panchal. Priyank Panchal, in a humorous tweet on X (formerly Twitter), said that the T20 World Cup can be won by challenging Pakistan, as India did while playing the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan created so much ruckus when India played all its Champions Trophy matches in Dubai. This time also he is getting the same privilege. Whether they repeat the Indian team’s exemplary performance from the whistle is a different story #T20WorldCup
– Priyank Panchal (@PKPanchal09) 21 February 2026
Priyank Panchal said, “Pakistan made such a fuss about India playing all its Champions Trophy matches in Dubai. They are getting the same privilege this time too. Whether they repeat the Indian team’s exemplary performance from the whistle is a different story.”
Priyank Panchal at the time of the Champions Trophy incident
Priyank Panchal took a dig at Pakistan by citing the previous issue when India had refused to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy and played its matches in UAE. After the defeat against India in the same tournament, he complained about India getting an unfair advantage by playing in Dubai.
However, in 2026, Pakistan had the same advantage as they were playing in Sri Lanka, and despite training for weeks and being familiar with the conditions, Salman Ali Aga’s team failed to win against India. Pakistan has not been at its best against top teams and has faltered in tense situations.
Pakistan faltered in front of big teams!
Pakistan has not won in its last six matches against India. The only time they have won against the Men in Blue in this format in an ICC tournament was back in 2021, when they defeated India by 10 wickets in Dubai. Barring Sahibzada Farhan, the Men in Green batting order is not at its best.
Farhan is the team’s leading run scorer and is also the leading run scorer in the tournament, scoring two fifties and a century. Whenever he has faltered, the team’s batting has fallen apart like a house of cards, with no middle-order batsman taking the responsibility of scoring big runs.
Pakistan bowlers will be under pressure against New Zealand
Pakistan’s bowling has also not been tested against quality batsmen, except against India, where their spinners bowled 18 overs and were thrashed all over the ground. Except Usman Tariq, no other bowler has been adept at scoring runs with the ball. Their leading fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has also not been lethal either with the new ball or in the death overs.
Shaheen was dropped in the final group game against Namibia. They will face New Zealand on Saturday, their top order comprising Tim Seifert, Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra has been in excellent form. If Pakistan has to win its first Super 8 game, it will have to take early wickets.
Also read: India overconfident? Only 4 players came for the practice session of T20 World Cup before the match against South Africa
