Shoaib Akhtar Sparks Controversy After India’s T20 World Cup Triumph, Says ‘India Has Ruined Cricket’
Shoaib Akhtar Sparks Controversy After India’s T20 World Cup Triumph, Says ‘India Has Ruined Cricket’
Former Pakistan pacer compares India’s dominance to a “rich kid controlling the game”, remarks trigger backlash online.
India’s historic victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has sparked a controversy after former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar made a sharp remark about the Indian team’s dominance in world cricket.
India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, lifting the T20 World Cup trophy for the third time and becoming the first team to win the tournament three times.
Following the win, Akhtar made a controversial statement during a discussion on a cricket show, claiming that India’s dominance in global cricket has “ruined the game”. His comments quickly went viral on social media and triggered strong reactions among cricket fans.
While criticising India’s victory, Akhtar compared the situation to a neighbourhood game controlled by a wealthy child.
He said it was similar to “a rich kid in the neighbourhood inviting poor kids to play and then saying he has won.” According to him, India has become so powerful in world cricket that it effectively controls how tournaments are organised and played.
🚨 Very Rare that a Pakistani praising India 😭
— 𝑨𝑻10 (@Loyalsachfan10) March 8, 2026
SHOAIB AKHTAR 🗣️ –
• India's policy won, India's System won, India's merit won.
• Praised Gautam Gambhir for picking guys on merit
• Management said good bye to Rohit and Kohli and now they won the World Cup( kya bol Raha… pic.twitter.com/GqRhsXqC29
The former Pakistani pacer also alleged that India has the influence to shape cricket tournaments in a way that suits its interests, which he believes undermines fair competition in the sport.
Akhtar’s remarks quickly sparked debate across social media platforms, with many fans criticising the statement and calling it an attempt to undermine India’s achievement. Others viewed it as a reaction to the Indian team’s current dominance in international cricket.
India’s performance in the tournament was widely praised by cricket experts and former players. The team produced one of the most dominant campaigns in T20 World Cup history, defeating New Zealand convincingly in the final after posting a massive total of 255 runs.
The victory marked another milestone for Indian cricket, making the team the first to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title and the first host nation to win the tournament at home.
Despite the criticism from across the border, many analysts believe India’s success is the result of strong domestic infrastructure, a deep talent pool and consistent performances across formats.
Akhtar’s statement has nonetheless reignited discussions about the growing influence of India in global cricket and the intense rivalry between India and Pakistan, which continues to fuel passionate reactions from fans and former players alike.
