Basit Ali launches toxic personal attack on Shadab Khan after all-rounder targets ex-Pakistan stars

Pakistan has qualified for the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup 2026 edition after beating Namibia in their final group stage game. However, the fire has not gone out after their horrifying defeat against India. There has been a heated conversation between the cricketers and the former cricketers turned commentators and analysts.

Recently, all-rounder Shadab Khan expressed his disregard for former players sharing their opinions and took a dig at Mohammad Yousuf, calling him a legend but also stating that he did not achieve any milestone against India in the World Cup competitions.

Shadab Khan takes a dig at former Pakistan cricketers

Shadab Khan said, “Our ex-cricketers have their own opinions. They have done well for Pakistan but at the end of the day, they have also not done such things in a World Cup [beating India]. We were the ones who defeated India in the 2021 World Cup.”

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— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 18, 2026

“It's not about us. We have beaten India in World Cups just once in the history of cricket. He [Mohammad Yousuf] is a legend, but he also never did anything remarkable [against India] in the World Cup.”

Basit Ali takes a dig at Shadab Khan, drags Saqlain Mushtaq

In reply to this, former head coach Basit Ali has taken a dig at Shadab Khan. In a talk show named ‘Har Lamha Purjosh,’ Basit Ali said, He should not have told his father-in-law (Saqlain Musshtaq) like that. He further said, “Wasn't Saqlain a match-winner? Of course, he was. He used to bowl in the death overs. A bowler like Saqlain had ten players like Shadab in his pocket.”

Here's the video

Basit Ali on Shadab Khan:

"Shadab shouldn’t have spoken that way about his father-in-law. Saqlain Mushtaq has 20 bowlers like Shadab in his pocket."

pic.twitter.com/rTcdbYKYSV

— Rayham (@RayhamUnplugged) February 19, 2026

In conversation with former captain Shoaib Malik, he said, “Now that you’ve asked me, let me say something — the batches of the 90s and 2000s were not promoted without merit. They didn’t make it into the team without performance. When Namibia came in, he batted at number four or five. And against India, he once conceded 17 runs in an over.”

“There was no manipulation back then. A journalist sitting there should also ask: What exactly is your performance? Are you a bowling all-rounder or a batting all-rounder? Mike Hesson sends him to bat ahead in the top just because he’s Mike Hesson’s favourite. If Saqlain, Waqar, or Inzamam were around, I would have liked to see how they would have handled him.”

Basit Ali finally concluded, saying, “I’ll tell you everything. I’ll tell you something that no one else has spoken about. When I went to England with the A team, they were constantly on their phones. I took both their phones away and told them clearly — you’re not using your phones.”

Notably, Shadab didn't particularly talk about his father-in-law, and Basit Ali was just criticising the all-rounder for apparently disrespecting former cricketers.

Pakistan's poor record continues against India

Pakistan has been winless in its last six games against India. They have not even competed in one game, taking the games deep, or have not made a thrilling end to the game. In the T20 World Cup editions, they are down by a 1-8 margin against their fiercest rival.

The last time and only time Pakistan won against India in the T20 World Cup was back in 2021. The Men in Green will be hoping to perform well in the Super 8s and try to qualify for the semi-finals.

Also Read: Shadab Khan loses his mind after India defeat, claims Pakistan will play T20 World Cup 2026 final