New Delhi: In a rare moment of cross-border admiration, former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has heaped praise on India’s cricket system following their dominant win in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand.

Akhtar, widely known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” highlighted India’s focus on merit-based selection, bold management decisions and respect for cricketing legends in a post-match analysis that has since gone viral on social media.

The comments came during a lively discussion on a sports panel show where Akhtar reflected on India’s journey to lifting the trophy on March 8 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. India, under the coaching of Gautam Gambhir, fielded a refreshed squad emphasizing young talent and performance over stardom, ultimately culminating in a convincing victory that marked their second T20 World Cup title in three years.

Akhtar’s remarks were captured in a video clip widely shared on X (formerly Twitter). A post by user @Loyalsachfan10 featuring the clip reportedly crossed 500,000 views, sparking discussions among fans from both India and Pakistan.

Very Rare that a Pakistani praising India

SHOAIB AKHTAR ️ –

• India's policy won, India's System won, India's merit won.

• Praised Gautam Gambhir for picking guys on merit

• Management said good bye to Rohit and Kohli and now they won the World Cup( kya bol Raha… pic.twitter.com/GqRhsXqC29

— 10 (@Loyalsachfan10) March 8, 2026

Full Quote from Shoaib Akhtar

Below is the full transcript of Akhtar’s remarks, corrected for clarity based on the audio and context. The original speech appears to be delivered in a mix of Urdu and English, with some subtitle errors.

“I will say a couple of things about India. First, their policy won. Then the system won. Most importantly, their merit won.

It was also possible that money would not have been spent in the right places. The kids who played Ranji Trophy weren’t earning. Today, Gautam Gambhir proved it. He picked two guys and said he wouldn’t let them go. There was only one guy, Sanju Samson. Despite all odds, he dropped someone and he took a big risk without hesitation.

Sanju Samson was in front of you. I am saying this again and again that one player neutralized the entire team. Abhishek is very young, a child, mature. There are still many things to learn from cricket, but he’s somebody who’s really mature. Today his policy won, his merit won.

We think right. We give chances, and we play 15 players get selected. There are many drops. It has legends of the game, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They said goodbye to them. Now they have gone on winning the World Cup.

They’re part of a winning World Cup squad, a captain, legend. But they look the other way. Rahul proved it, I think from this team how he is spending money on his systems, on his machines, injection of the money.

And finally, how beautifully he respects his elders. What a beauty. Today they are standing as India is celebrating. All the three captains came and they were together and they were celebrating together.

Congratulations to India. Your merit, you will celebrate. If you get 27 World Cup prizes, take it today.”

Analysis and Reactions

Akhtar’s praise focused on several aspects of India’s cricketing success:

Merit-Based Selection

He commended coach Gautam Gambhir for prioritizing form and potential over reputation. Akhtar specifically mentioned Sanju Samson, who played a pivotal role during the tournament and was named Player of the Tournament after scoring 321 runs at an average of 80.25.

Moving On from Legends

Akhtar also noted how India transitioned from senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after the 2024 T20 World Cup. Both veterans voluntarily stepped away from T20 internationals, allowing younger players to establish themselves.

Respect for Elders

Another point Akhtar highlighted was the respect shown toward former captains and senior players during the celebrations, where multiple former leaders of the Indian team were seen joining the celebrations together.

Investment in Domestic Cricket

He also pointed to India’s sustained investment in domestic competitions such as the Ranji Trophy, which has ensured a consistent pipeline of talented players ready for international cricket.

The viral video shows Akhtar speaking passionately in a brightly lit studio with fellow panelists listening closely. His animated expressions and emphatic delivery further amplified the clip’s popularity, leading to numerous memes and reactions online.

Fans on X reacted with a mix of surprise and humor. One user wrote:

“Chehra sabka utra hua hai. Akhtar bhai ne dil par pathar rakhke sach toh bola hai.”
(Everyone’s faces are down. Akhtar brother has spoken the truth with a heavy heart.)

Another user commented that such praise is not unusual, noting that Pakistani commentators often acknowledge India’s performances when they play well.

This is not the first time Akhtar has praised India’s cricket structure. The former fast bowler has previously acknowledged the depth, professionalism and infrastructure of Indian cricket.

However, coming at a time when Pakistan exited the tournament early, his remarks have sparked renewed debate on social media about what Pakistan’s cricket system can learn from its neighbor.

As India celebrates its latest world title, Akhtar’s candid remarks underline how cricket—despite fierce rivalries—continues to command mutual respect across borders. With the next major international tournament approaching, attention will now turn to how both teams evolve in the years ahead.