Respect in cricket means more when it comes from rivals. After India’s emphatic title win in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi didn’t hold back his admiration. India crushed New Zealand by 96 runs in the final on March 8 and Shahid Afridi publicly congratulated the team, saying the best side had lifted the trophy. He also reserved special praise for pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
Jasprit Bumrah once again proved why he is considered India’s go-to bowler in big matches. Playing in front of his home crowd, the 32-year-old from Ahmedabad delivered a match-winning spell in the final, taking 4 wickets while conceding just 15 runs in his four overs. His control, variations and calmness under pressure helped seal the game.
Sharing his thoughts in a video on X, Shahid Afridi said that India fully deserved the title because of their strong team balance and squad depth. He highlighted that even the players on the bench were good enough to step straight into the playing XI, which showed how well-prepared the side was. In his view, India looked like champions throughout the tournament.
Shahid Afridi also applauded several Indian batters. He praised Sanju Samson for making the most of his chances with smart, responsible batting and the ability to anchor innings when needed. Abhishek Sharma earned appreciation for his performance in the final, while Ishan Kishan was lauded for another impactful display, similar to his strong outing against Pakistan earlier in the tournament.
Speaking about Jasprit Bumrah, Shahid Afridi described him as the backbone of India’s bowling for many years. He admired the pacer’s ability to deliver with the new ball, old ball, slower deliveries and pinpoint Yorkers, calling him one of the finest bowlers in world cricket.
Here is the video:
https://x.com/ccricket713/status/2030881159970701794
Click to watch this video directly on X
Shahid Afridi wasn’t the only Pakistani legend impressed by India’s success. Former captain Javed Miandad also praised the team, pointing to the system behind their rise.
Javed Miandad noted that India’s success is the result of a strong and well-structured cricket system. He observed that the country continues to produce high-quality talent across departments — batters, spinners, and fast bowlers, adding that the younger players show maturity, awareness and a result – focused mindset.
India’s victory, backed by performance and preparation, clearly earned admiration from across the border, a sign of just how dominant their World Cup campaign truly was.
