‘Darkest period in our history’: Mohammad Yousuf lashes out after India humiliate Pakistan in T20 World Cup

New Delhi, Monday — India’s 61-run demolition of Pakistan in the T20 World Cup has detonated a firestorm of recrimination inside the Pakistan camp, with batting great Mohammad Yousuf branding the current era “the darkest period in our cricketing history.”

The heavy defeat at a heaving venue on Sunday night stretched Pakistan’s winless World Cup run against India to 17 matches — eight in T20 World Cups and all eight ODI World Cup encounters — and propelled Suryakumar Yadav’s side into the Super Eights alongside the West Indies.

Electing to field first, Pakistan watched Ishan Kishan blaze 77 off 42 balls as India reached 175 for seven. Kishan, playing only his second match of the tournament, raced to a 27-ball fifty. “I was just keeping it simple and watching the ball,” the left-hander said. Captain Suryakumar praised the knock: “After we were 0-1, someone had to take responsibility and the way he took it was amazing.”

The chase unravelled in the third over. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah removed the top order inside the powerplay, leaving Pakistan at 13 for three. When Axar Patel skittled Babar Azam for five, the score read 34 for four and the contest was effectively over. Usman Khan’s counter-attacking 44 briefly raised hopes, but a reckless charge at Axar ended his stay and triggered a second collapse. Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs.

Within minutes of the final wicket, Yousuf took to social media: “Time’s up for Shaheen, Babar, and Shadab, Pakistan’s T20 squad needs new performers, not empty wins against weaker sides.”

The 49-year-old former captain doubled down 24 hours later, demanding root-and-branch reform. “Unless we remove political influence and personal agendas from Pakistan cricket, we cannot return to the team we once were. This is the darkest period in our cricketing history, and my heart bleeds for it. Incompetent individuals must be removed from office and from the team,” he posted on X.

The remarks have framed the loss not as a one-off stumble but as symptomatic of deeper structural rot. With India marching on and Pakistan facing an early exit, Yousuf’s verdict has become the rallying cry for a support base fast losing patience.