Pakistan Coach Hails Team as 'Best' Despite Collapse Against India

Pakistan's women's cricket team suffered a humiliating collapse during their Women's Asia Cup 2026 encounter against India, being bowled out for 55 in what proved to be a dominant performance by the Indian bowlers. Despite the heavy defeat, coach Wahab Riaz refused to be discouraged, issuing an unusual statement that backed his players' overall quality in the tournament.

The 55-run total marked one of Pakistan's poorest batting performances in the competition, exposing significant vulnerabilities in the middle order against India's bowling attack. The innings lasted just 20.5 overs as Pakistani batters struggled to find any momentum against a disciplined Indian bowling unit.

Riaz's controversial assessment came in the face of scrutiny over the team's preparation and form heading into the continental championship. While acknowledging the disappointing result, the coach argued that the match represented an anomaly rather than a reflection of his team's true capabilities in the tournament.

The loss left Pakistan with considerable ground to make up in the Asia Cup standings, with the team now facing pressure to demonstrate the quality Riaz insists they possess. The match underscored the competitive intensity within the region's women's cricket, where margins between teams remain tight despite occasional lopsided results.