Pakistan greats praise India after T20 World Cup glory, Javed Miandad credits ‘this factor’

India’s second successive ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title has drawn appreciation as well as grudging praise from several former Pakistan players and critics. Former Pakistan Test captain and batting great Javed Miandad said any side capable of posting 250-plus totals in both the semifinal and the final deserved to be crowned champions.

India piled up a massive 255 for five in the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand and secured a comprehensive 96-run victory on Sunday night in Ahmedabad. Miandad highlighted “strong structure” and praised the Indian players’ “result-driven” mentality.

“Their team (India) is now reaping the benefits of a strong process-driven cricket structure,” Miandad said as quoted by the PTI. “If you look at the talent they are producing now, it is because of their strong structure. They are not short on batters, spinners or fast bowlers and their young players are result-driven and have game awareness.”

The former great pointed out that once a winning culture and mindset are established in a dressing room, it naturally leads to more trophies, which is why India also won the ICC Champions Trophy last year.

“We had this environment in our dressing room once and we won frequently,” he said.

Rashid Latif highlights India’s stability and winning mindset at the T20 World Cup 2026

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif said India’s triumph at the T20 World Cup did not come as a surprise, as their players have become used to delivering under pressure.

“When you regularly reach finals of big events players also get accustomed to winning,” Latif said.

He also added that continuity and stability on the Indian side have played a vital role in their success, unlike Pakistan, where frequent changes and impatience have created several problems.

Cricket presenter, analyst, and writer Nauman Niaz said India’s commanding display in the final was a reminder of how effectively their players executed their roles and how well they have adapted to the demands of modern-day T20 cricket.

“Their success is based around a perfect blend of young, brave players and seniors coming through when most required, as Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya did in the final,” Niaz said.

Pakistan urged to accept reality and improve

Former Pakistan Test pacer Sikander Bakht said that unless the prevailing culture of likes and dislikes, along with questionable selection and captaincy decisions, is addressed, the Pakistan side will continue to struggle against strong teams in major tournaments like the T20 World Cup.

“We must stop finding excuses for our failures and take the right decisions,” Bakht said.

Former Pakistan Test batsman and chief selector Muhammad Wasim, who until last year served as head coach of the Pakistan women’s side, said nothing would change until people in Pakistan accept India’s superiority as a team.

“We generally try to find faults and float conspiracy theories whenever we lose to India or they do well in big events. We need to stop that and accept their team is a top side and we must try to improve ourselves by learning from our mistakes,” Wasim said.

Former Pakistan head coach Mohsin Khan said India’s focus on red-ball cricket and Tests has helped them develop players who come through a strong system.

“Plus, I don’t see any insecurity among the Indian players. Maybe because financially their Board looks after them very well,” Khan said.

As the Men in Blue went all the way at the T20 World Cup 2026, the Agha Salman-led Pakistani side fell in the Super Eights.