During the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, an ongoing controversy in Pakistani cricket flared up when all-rounder Shadab Khan made comments reflecting on the team's past successes. Following a match against Namibia, where Pakistan secured a win, Shadab was questioned about the criticism directed at current players from former cricketers. In response, he recalled the team's notable victory over India during the 2021 T20 World Cup, which is a significant part of Pakistan's recent cricketing legacy. This remark did not sit well with several former players, including Shahid Afridi.

Shahid Afridi, a former captain and a notable figure in Pakistan cricket, has openly criticized Shadab's comments, emphasizing that the respect and recognition the team garnered after their win against India was not well managed by the players subsequently. Afridi's comments come after Pakistan’s loss to India earlier in the tournament, where both he and former cricketer Mohammad Yousuf suggested changes to the squad, including dropping key players like Babar Azam and Shadab Khan from the team. Their remarks highlight a growing frustration among former players regarding the current team's performance and attitude.

The dynamics within Pakistani cricket appear tense, marked by players' responses to criticism and the expectations placed upon them by fans and former greats. Shadab Khan's contributed performance against Namibia—scoring an unbeaten 35—although helpful in securing the team's progression to the next stage of the tournament, does not fully alleviate the scrutiny the current squad is under following earlier defeats. The contrasting opinions between current players and legends such as Afridi underline the challenges the Pakistan cricket team faces in managing both their sporting legacy and present performance pressures.