ANI |
Updated: 16 Feb 2026 00:56 IST
New Delhi [India]February 16 (ANI): India’s emphatic victory over Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has sparked strong reactions from members of the cricket fraternity, who hailed the team’s dominant performance against arch-rivals.
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan summed up the gulf between the sides by writing on X: “India vs Pakistan in cricket? Jam. Osman.”
Former India player Wasim Jaffer criticized Pakistan’s repeated struggles, writing: “Pakistan fans suffered another disgraceful defeat against India.”
Pakistan fans after another shameful defeat to India 😅 #INDvPAK #T20World Cup pic.twitter.com/tlzqm0n2NE
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 15, 2026
Former England captain Michael Vaughan highlighted India’s temperament in important matches. “India seems to be bullying Pakistan on the cricket field… they are much better in all aspects of the game and have a better mentality to handle this big occasion,” he wrote.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif commented on the overall head-to-head record, saying: “I now believe that Pakistan’s only win over India by 1-8 was also a fluke. Honestly”.
Veteran Sri Lankan Angelo Mathews praised the atmosphere and India’s performance: “Colombo was on fire today, but India were too good for Pakistan. Theirs is a convincing victory.”
Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwari wrote: “Rivalry! What rivalry?? Another resounding win against Pakistan in the ICC tournament! It started with Ishan Kishan and then ended with ease by the bowlers! Well done #TeamIndia. Let’s move on to the next one.”
Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh echoed similar sentiments: “Well done by Team India. India vs Pakistan is just hype and not a competition. The fan created a rivalry, but one-way traffic on the field… And again. JAI HIND.”
Cricket analyst Sanjay Manjrekar acknowledged Pakistan’s spin efforts but highlighted the gap between the teams. “The pac-spin made the match a little more interesting than usual, but the gap between the two teams remained the same… large.”
Former newcomer Aakash Chopra wrote on X: “8-1.”
Former India batter Shikhar Dhawan praised the team’s character on the big stage, writing: “This is how you show character on the big stage. Total team effort. Great victory.”
Thanks to a convincing win over their arch-rivals in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match, India now leads 8-1.
Coming into the match, Pakistan elected to field first after winning the toss and after Abhishek was out, Ishan’s ruthless 77 and Tilak’s calm 25 kept India steady but the Men in Blue slumped to 126/4, losing their batters for a set and all-rounder Hardik Pandya (0).
However, captain Suryakumar, Shivam and Rinku finished the innings well, distributing their shots perfectly in difficult conditions. India scored 175/7 with Saim Ayub (3/25) emerging as Pakistan’s best bowler.
Chasing the ball, Pakistan were reduced to 34/4 thanks to early strikes from Hardik, Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel. Usman Khan (44 off 34 balls, with six fours and a six) was the only one to appear to bat as Team India bundled Pakistan out for just 114 runs in 18 overs, advancing to the Super 8 stage with their third straight win.
Axar (2/29 in four overs) was the best bowler for India, Hardik (2/16 in three overs), Bumrah (2/17 in two overs) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/17 in three overs) were also among the wickets.
India remains in first place with three wins from three matches in Group A, Pakistan has dropped to third with two wins and a loss, and the US is currently in second place with two wins and two losses. (ANI)