Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Asif has made startling remarks about the national team after their defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test of their series.
Asif predicted that the USA will once again surprise Pakistan in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Pakistan cricket has been grappling with various problems lately, including frequent shifts in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and internal player conflicts.
The Men in Green have struggled to achieve strong performances across all formats of international cricket this year.
The USA Will Beat Pakistan In The Next World Cup – Mohammad Asif
Speaking on ‘The Nakash Khan Show’ podcast, Mohammad Asif pointed out that the USA cricket team upset Pakistan in the 2024 World Cup.
Asif confidently stated that the USA could do the same again in the 2026 T20 World Cup, citing their current performance.
“We lost to the USA, who are playing in the T20 World Cup for the first time. They didn’t even qualify, they played because they were the hosts. The way the situation is going at this moment, the USA will beat Pakistan in the next World Cup, in 2026. I’ll guarantee you that,” Asif predicted.
The USA made their T20 World Cup debut in 2024, co-hosting with the West Indies.
In their second match of the tournament, held at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas, the USA secured a victory over Pakistan by 5 runs in a Super Over, advancing to the Super 8 stage.
Pakistan, having also lost to their arch-rivals in their next World Cup match, saw their chances of advancing to the next round diminished due to these consecutive defeats.
Despite this, Babar Azam’s team concluded the tournament on a high note with wins over Canada and Ireland during the group stage.
We Are Repeating The Same Things – Mohammad Asif
Mohammad Asif believes that changes are needed at the top level of Pakistan cricket to improve the team’s performance.
Asif said that Pakistan should overhaul the captain, coach, and players before the 2026 World Cup. He criticized the team for repeating past mistakes.
“Before the 2026 World Cup, we have to change the captain, coach, and the players. There needs to be planning for the two years that this is the team, this is the 20 players we want to work with. But we are repeating the same things, which is why I am telling you this.”
“When the likes of India, and South Africa are moving forward in the next two years, we are still in the same spot,” Asif added.
The Shan Masood-led team suffered a humiliating 10-wicket loss to Bangladesh in the first Test match in Rawalpindi.
The home team bowlers failed to make an impact with the ball during the match. The second and final Test match will be played at the same venue, starting on Friday, August 30.
