Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign has ended not just in elimination, but in controversy.
According to multiple reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board has imposed a fine of PKR 5 million (approx. US$ 18K) on each member of the squad following their Super 8 exit from the 2026 T20 World Cup — a move that has sparked fierce criticism from former captain Shahid Afridi and fast bowler Mohammad Amir.
Afridi calls fine “narrow-minded” and demands stronger action
Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive global tournament. Their group-stage run began with wins over Netherlands and USA before a 61-run defeat to India, then a must-win victory over Namibia to secure a Super 8 spot. In the second round, a washed-out clash against New Zealand and a loss to England left them chasing a specific net run rate scenario. Although they beat Sri Lanka in their final Super 8 fixture, the margin of victory was not enough to leapfrog New Zealand, ending their campaign short of the knockouts.
Reacting on Samaa TV, Shahid Afridi questioned not only the logic behind the reported fine but also its severity.
“This is a decision that’s hard to understand. That’s narrow-minded thinking. This is a small amount. What will you even do with 50 lakhs? It doesn’t even sound like a penalty,” Afridi said.
Rather than financial punishment, he argued for deeper corrective measures within the system and squad structure.
“Players who did not perform, send them to first-class cricket. There are some players, I feel, who shouldn’t be in the team for at least two years. That’s enough,” he added.
Afridi further suggested that internal changes and rotation would send a clearer message than monetary penalties. On Samaa TV, he remarked, “Jinhe rest dena chahiye unhe rest de diya jaye. Players ke ander changes le kar aaye, yeh sajaye kaafi hai. 50 lakh…mera nahi khayal ki aisa koi officially koi PCB ke taraf se koi statement nahi aayi hai na,” (Those who need rest should be given rest. Bring changes within the players — that itself is enough punishment. As for the 50 lakh… I don’t think any official statement has come from the PCB.)
His comments shifted the focus from the fine itself to broader issues of selection policy, workload management and long-term planning.
Amir warns against scapegoating players
While Afridi called the fine insufficient, Mohammad Amir took aim at the principle behind it.
Speaking on the Pakistani show Haarna Mana Hai, Amir argued that punishing only players ignores the role of selectors and administrators in shaping the squad and strategy.
“If fines are the solution, apply them to everyone — from selectors to the administration. Players weren’t forced at gunpoint. Hold selectors accountable for wrong combinations. Double the fine for them. Stop scapegoating players. This isn’t the real solution. Why do players have to suffer all the time?” Amir said.
He questioned whether it was fair to impose blanket penalties, particularly when some players delivered standout performances. Sahibzada Farhan, for instance, scored two centuries and set a new record for most runs in a single T20 World Cup edition, while Fakhar Zaman featured in only two matches.
“If you can’t pick the right combination, the ones who selected the squad and chalked out the plans must answer. Will you fine Fakhar Zaman as well, who played just two games? What about Sahibzada Farhan?” Amir asked.
For Amir, financial punishment fails to address the root problem. He stressed that exclusion from the national side would be a far stronger statement than a fine.
“Fines aren’t the solution. I’ve said it from day one — invest in domestic cricket. That is where you will find quality players. If you are angry with someone, don’t fine them; drop them and tell them to perform consistently for two years in domestic cricket. The biggest punishment for a player is being left out of the team,” he said.
A deeper crisis beyond fines
The reported PKR 5 million (approx. US$ 18K) penalty may have been intended as a show of accountability after another ICC setback. But the reaction from two former internationals highlights a deeper debate within Pakistan cricket — whether punitive measures can substitute for structural reform.
For now, the PCB has yet to issue a detailed public clarification on the reported fines. But the conversation has already moved beyond numbers — toward responsibility, selection policy, and the future direction of Pakistan cricket.
