Team Pakistan and Dinesh Karthik
After Pakistan’s exit from the Super 8 stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup, veteran Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has lashed out at former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain.Last year, Atherton and Hussain suggested that India had an unfair advantage when they won the Champions Trophy in Dubai.
India reach the final session before the T20 World Cup final
Since India played all their matches at the same venue, after the Indian government did not allow the team to travel to Pakistan, they did not have to deal with travel or changing conditions. According to the English duo, getting used to one stadium and staying in one place helped India plan better and ultimately win the title.Fast forward to the T20 World Cup, Karthik used the same logic to question Pakistan’s performance.
Speaking on Sky Cricket Podcast, he said he expects both Sri Lanka and Pakistan to reach the semi-finals. He pointed out that Pakistan enjoys similar amenities this time, playing constantly in Colombo, staying in one hotel, and getting familiar with the same stadiums.That’s when he threw a punch. Referring to Atherton and Hussain, Karthik said: “I was expecting Sri Lanka and Pakistan and Sri Lanka, because of the circumstances at home and because they are a side that needs a bigger cause.
But this didn’t work. Then I thought about Pakistan, because they played constantly in Colombo, stayed in the same hotel, knew the same stadiums – and you both felt that was the main reason why India won the Champions Trophy.
“By the same logic, Pakistan should have done something in this World Cup. Obviously it works for one team but not for another, so there is a real lack of skill there. I will back Pakistan to say they will fight a lot more, but then almost losing to Sri Lanka was crazy, and on top of that, you hear about that.”
