T20 World Cup 2026 Final: Ex-Pakistani Cricketers Urge End To Conspiracy Theories, Miandad Praises India’s Dominance Against New Zealand

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India's T20 World Cup Win: Criticism from former Pakistan pacers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Amir over India's T20 World Cup triumph has sparked a broader debate within Pakistan's cricket fraternity. However, several former Pakistan players have pushed back against conspiracy theories and urged the community to acknowledge the dominance of India in white-ball cricket.

Former Pakistan Test batter Muhammad Wasim criticised those questioning India's success, stressing that Pakistan should focus on learning from their rivals rather than making allegations. According to Wasim, India's achievements are the result of long-term planning and a well-structured cricket system.

India delivered a dominant campaign in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final in Ahmedabad on March 8 to successfully defend their title. In contrast, Pakistan failed to advance beyond the Super Eight stage, marking their second consecutive disappointing outing after a group-stage exit in the 2024 edition.

Miandad Applauds India's Structure

Pakistan legend Javed Miandad praised India's process-driven cricketing structure, crediting it for the steady stream of talented players emerging across formats.

Miandad noted that India's depth in batting and bowling reflects the strength of its domestic system and talent development pathway. He added that Pakistan once enjoyed a similar dressing-room environment that fostered resilience and consistent success.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif also said India's victory was hardly surprising, pointing out that regular appearances in major finals help players develop the confidence and mindset needed to succeed under pressure.

Several former cricketers highlighted stability within the Indian setup-both in terms of leadership and team selection-as a major reason behind their sustained success on the global stage.

PCB's Heavy Fines Spark Debate

Meanwhile, reports from Pakistan suggest the Pakistan Cricket Board has imposed a hefty fine of PKR 50 lakh (approximately USD 18,000) on each member of the national squad following their early exit from the tournament.

The decision, reportedly approved by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi after Pakistan's group-stage loss to India, was intended as a performance-based penalty. Although Pakistan managed a narrow win against Sri Lanka, it was not enough to lift their net run rate above that of New Zealand, ending their campaign before the semi-finals.

The move has triggered criticism from former captain Shahid Afridi, who described the fines as short-sighted and argued that players who fail to perform should instead return to domestic cricket to rebuild their form.

Critics within Pakistan's cricket circles believe the issue runs deeper than individual performances. Over the past four years, the team has gone through seven different coaches and three T20 captains, leading to instability and a lack of long-term direction. Without consistent leadership and a clear selection policy, analysts warn that Pakistan risks continuing its slide in major international tournaments.