Saqlain Mushtaq’s wild ‘Bewakoof-Dileri’ take amuses former Pakistan cricketers on live show

Former Pakistan skipper Saqlain Mushtaq came up with an odd theory following New Zealand’s victory over Sri Lanka during the recent T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match. Saqlain’s bizarre comments left fellow panelists and former Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Gul, and Sana Mir in splits.

New Zealand secured a 61-run win over hosts Sri Lanka in Colombo on Wednesday, February 25. The result dented Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semifinals. The Mitchell Santner-led side moved to second place in Super 8 Group 2 with three points from two matches, including a washed-out game against Pakistan.

They Were Intelligent and Played Bravely - Saqlain Mushtaq

Speaking on the Pakistani show Tapmad, Saqlain Mushtaq said that teams succeed in sport through intelligence, awareness, and brave decision-making. He added that sides lacking clarity and courage often fall behind and struggle to progress.

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"There are four types of individuals and organisations present. Pehla, jo hai akalmand aur dileri (First, who is intelligent and brave). The higher the level of intelligence, the braver one will be. That means, the more you become aware of the conditions and the situation and gain more knowledge... they will rise to the top," Saqlain Mushtaq said.

"Look at the England team, then New Zealand and South Africa. They were intelligent and played bravely. Number 2 pe hai kam akalmand aur kam dileri (less intelligent and slightly less brave). Number three, buzdil aur thoda aur kam akalmand (cowardly and less intelligent). And finally, number four, buzdil aur bewakoof (cowardly and stupid)."

🚨Saqlain Mushtaq goes mental after Sri Lanka's crushing defeat dims Pakistan's semifinal prospects

Here's Saqlain's version of science defending Pakistan's poor run of form in T20 World Cup😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/dQPIBnfV2c

— Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) February 26, 2026

Which Category Do We Fall Under? - Mohammad Hafeez

Saqlain Mushtaq said that learning about conditions and opponents gives players confidence and helps them make brave decisions. His comments made Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Gul, and Sana Mir laugh. Hafeez then joked about where Pakistan would fit in Saqlain’s theory.

"To rise to the top, you need to gain knowledge, which will give you belief and make you proactive and brave. And only a good system can make a team intelligent and brave. If you ask a bowler from our team, they will show the field position and tell you how they will bowl," Mushtaq stated.

"That is an uneducated approach. But if you ask the other type of bowlers, they will do complete research and then tell you how they will start and finish the over with a full analysis of the opposition. To make our team stronger, we have to build that system," he added.

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 Semi-Final Qualification Scenario

New Zealand boosted their net run rate (NRR) to 3.050 after their latest win. They now have three points from two matches, with their earlier game against Pakistan washed out after the toss.

Pakistan are placed third in the group with one point from two matches and a net run rate of -0.461, following a no-result and a defeat to England.

New Zealand will face England next. A win in that match will take them to five points, which would confirm a semifinal spot and effectively end Pakistan’s campaign, as Pakistan cannot reach that tally.

If New Zealand lose to England, Pakistan still have a chance. In that scenario, Pakistan must defeat Sri Lanka by a big margin to close the net run rate gap and finish above New Zealand.

Also read: Shadab Khan to be named new Pakistan captain despite poor performances