Former Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi has commented on Pakistan's performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. He says that some players should be suspended from the team for two years.

Shahid Afridi

The Pakistan cricket team had a disappointing performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Following another poor performance in an ICC tournament, all Pakistani players have been fined. This marks the fourth consecutive time Pakistan has failed to reach the semifinals of a world-class tournament. Following Pakistan's exit from the Super Eight stage of this year's T20 World Cup, several media reports claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had taken strict action against the players and fined all of the Pakistani team's players for the T20 World Cup.

The PCB has imposed a fine of ₹5 million
on all players of the Pakistani team. The PCB has imposed a fine of ₹5 million on all players, not for indiscipline, but for their poor performance in the T20 World Cup 2026. According to media reports, the fines were imposed after the team lost to India by a huge margin of 61 runs in a group stage match. The PCB had stipulated that the fines would be waived if the Pakistani team reached the semi-finals.

Shahid Afridi commented on the fines imposed on the players. 
Speaking to Sama TV, Pakistan's legendary all-rounder and former captain Shahid Afridi said he was surprised by the media reports, not because the players were fined, but because they received such a lenient punishment. He said, "This decision is incomprehensible. It's a very narrow-minded approach. It's a very small amount. What can 5 million rupees do? It doesn't even feel like a fine."

Shahid Afridi demanded stricter action, saying, "Players who haven't performed should be sent back to first-class cricket. There are some players who shouldn't be in the Pakistani team for
at least two years. Enough is enough." Although all players have been fined, one player, Shahidzada Farhan, performed exceptionally well for Pakistan in this tournament. He broke the record for most runs in a T20 World Cup, scoring two centuries in seven matches.