19 February 2026
Shadab's defensive line – "former players never beat India in World Cups" – was arrogant, immature, and straight-up disrespectful. That 2021 win was legendary, we all respect it and celebrate it, but you don't get to weaponize one old victory to shut down every legitimate criticism. Bhatti called it shameful, and I agree completely: it breeds complacency, excuses poor form, and blocks any real growth.
But let's get to my main point, assertive and clear: treat others the way you want to be treated. Simple golden rule.
You want respect as a player, as an all-rounder, as someone who's been given multiple chances to prove himself? Then start by giving respect to the seniors who built this legacy you're standing on. Those ex-players you're brushing off – they earned their stripes, they made opponents fear Pakistan, and they deserve basic decency. You can't demand respect while throwing shade at the very people who made the game bigger for you.
If a junior disrespected you in the dugout or presser, you'd lose it. Same principle applies the other way. Respect seniors first – then you earn the right to demand it back. That's non-negotiable in any team, any culture, any family.
And when Bhatti brought up the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup incident – Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali caught munching fast food in London while the team was getting slammed for fitness and discipline – he wasn't being casual. He was dead serious, and so am I.
According to reports back then (Roti Group and others), it happened, and it was a clear sign of the same lazy, entitled mindset that's still lingering today. This isn't some minor slip-up to brush off with "boys will be boys." It's emblematic of the deeper problem: lack of professionalism, zero accountability, and thinking shortcuts are fine because you're "talented."
That 2019 episode should have been treated as a non-casual red flag – a wake-up call for discipline, humility, and team-first attitude. Instead, it got forgotten, and look where we are: same ego issues, same excuses, same double standards (kings vs minnows, passengers vs big teams).
Bhatti is spot-on about everything else too:
- Too many all-rounders clogging the XI, no clear roles.
- Shadab's bowling – 80% short balls, no real variety or learning.
- PCB's flawed system recycling the same faces without competition.
- Arrogance bigger than game sense – bad overs always against top sides.
I agree with Bhatti fully: bench the excuses, bench the arrogance, bench anyone not earning it right now. We scraped into Super 8 – great – but Namibia exposed we can win without the old egos dragging us. England and NZ in Super 8 won't care about 2021 nostalgia or 2019 excuses. They'll expose the cracks if we don't fix this mindset.
So Shadab (and the whole crew): respect the seniors who made you possible. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Take incidents like 2019 as serious warnings, not casual stories. Grow up, earn your spot with performances, not defensive pressers.
Watch the clip (https://youtu.be/EJNd1YNX-Do) – Bhatti's fire is exactly what we need.
I stand with him completely. Respect first, accountability always.
You agree we need this golden rule in the team? Or think Shadab's attitude is fine? Drop your honest take in comments.
Murtaza Moiz
@MoizMurtaza
CricSphere Blog
