Following Pakistan's successful qualification after a dominant win against Namibia, Shadab Khan addressed the media with a perspective that resonated deeply with fans back home. "Ramadan is here, and now we have our 12th man with us in Super 8," Shadab said, flashing a confident smile.
Faith as a Competitive Edge
For Shadab and many of his teammates, the arrival of Ramadan during the most critical phase of the tournament isn't seen as a physical challenge, but as a source of immense psychological and spiritual power. By referring to the holy month as a "12th man," Shadab suggests that the team feels an added layer of protection and motivation that their opponents might not account for.
In Pakistan cricket history, the team has often found its greatest rhythm when playing during periods of religious significance. Shadab’s statement reframes the narrative of the tournament; while the world focuses on the tactical fallout of the India vs. Pakistan game, the squad is drawing on a deeper sense of purpose.
Silencing Critics with Conviction
The spiritual "12th man" isn't the only thing Shadab is relying on. He is also using his inner resolve to block out the noise regarding his recent form. Reflecting on the heavy criticism he faced after the India fixture, Shadab remained unfazed.
"Since I came back to Pakistan, I had one bad over with the ball, and all of this is happening because of that," he noted. "I don’t perform to justify myself to them, but it was just a bad day."
By separating his self-worth from the opinions of pundits and focusing on his duty to the team and his faith, Shadab has found a way to maintain his composure under immense pressure.
From Namibia to the Super 8 Gauntlet
The victory over Namibia served as the perfect springboard. It wasn't just a win; it was a cleansing of the errors made in the group stages. With the Super 8 fixtures now set, the "Men in Green" face a grueling path to the semi-finals:
vs. New Zealand (Feb 21)
vs. England (Feb 24)
vs. Sri Lanka (Feb 28)
As the team prepares for these high-stakes encounters in Colombo and Kandy, the atmosphere in the dressing room has shifted. The focus is no longer on the "Lot of talk about the India game," but on the collective goal of lifting the trophy. For Shadab Khan, with the "12th man" by their side and a clear heart, the path to the final has never looked clearer.
NZ VS Pakistan Today
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (C), Tim Seifert (WK), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway, Cole McConchie.
Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (C), Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Usman Khan (WK), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Khawaja Nafay.
In the world of high-stakes cricket, a little spiritual motivation can go a long way. The "star" in question is Pakistan's vice-captain, Shadab Khan, who made headlines today, February 21, 2026, with a bold statement ahead of Pakistan's Super 8 clash against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup.
The "12th Man" Comment
Following Pakistan's dominant win over Namibia to qualify for the Super 8s, Shadab Khan addressed the media regarding the team's mindset as the tournament enters its most critical phase.
"Ramadan is here, and now we have our 12th man with us in Super 8." — Shadab Khan
By referring to the holy month of Ramadan as a "12th man," Shadab signaled that the team views the spiritual and psychological strength gained during this period as a competitive advantage. Historically, Pakistan has often found a unique rhythm and "cornered tiger" energy when playing during significant religious periods.
Match Update: Pakistan vs. New Zealand (Super 8)
Despite the pre-match talk of spiritual momentum, the weather had the final say in Colombo today.
Result: The match was officially abandoned due to persistent rain.
The Toss: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bat first, but the heavy downpour began almost immediately after.
Standings: Both teams received 1 point each.
The Fallout: This washout puts immense pressure on both sides for their remaining fixtures. Pakistan must now face England (Feb 24) and Sri Lanka (Feb 28) with very little room for error if they want to reach the semi-finals.
Why the "Religion Card" Narrative?
The phrase "playing the religion card" has been used by some media outlets to describe Shadab’s comments, framing them as a way to deflect from recent on-field struggles—specifically the heavy criticism the team faced after losing to India earlier in the tournament.
Shadab, however, dismissed the noise, stating that he is focused on his process and the "inner resolve" provided by his faith rather than the opinions of pundits.
Would you like me to keep you updated on the points table after tomorrow's England vs. Sri Lanka double-header?
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