Mohammad Hafeez, Saqlain Mushtaq fight on Live TV over Mohammad Nawaz, forget cameras are on (Watch video)

Former Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Hafeez and Saqlain Mushtaq were involved in a heated argument after the Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan side’s loss to England in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match. The former players clashed on a live TV show over Mohammad Nawaz’s role and place in the playing XI.

Pakistan lost by two wickets to England in their Super 8 clash in Pallekele on Tuesday, February 24. They secured just one point in the Super 8 stage, as their earlier match against New Zealand in Colombo was abandoned due to rain. The Men in Green will need a miracle to secure a place in the semi-finals.

Saqlain Mushtaq and Mohammad Hafeez Involved in Heated Exchange on Live Show

During a discussion on a Pakistani TV show, Saqlain Mushtaq and Mohammad Hafeez were involved in a heated exchange over Mohammad Nawaz’s role in the team.

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Mohammad Hafeez questioned Nawaz’s place in the playing XI, saying an all-rounder must clearly deliver in his primary skill. He added that Nawaz is selected mainly as a bowler and should not be retained if he cannot perform that role consistently.

"Is he a batting all-rounder or a bowling all-rounder? What is his first preference? Then why not use him at No. 5? So, he is a batsman who can bowl? What is his first priority?" Mohammad Hafeez said.

"I have played for Pakistan as an all-rounder. My primary job was batting. For Nawaz, it is bowling. Same for bowling. And if he can't do that, we don't want him. Even if Pakistan manage to beat Sri Lanka in their final game, the result will not be enough to secure a place in the semi-finals," Mohammad Hafeez added.

Saqlain Mushtaq defended Mohammad Nawaz, saying he should be viewed as a genuine all-rounder. He stated that Nawaz has the ability to contribute with both bat and ball and recalled using him at No. 5 during his time with the Pakistan team.

"He is a bit of both. You can't talk about him in that manner. I feel he is equally good at batting and bowling. He has been. In fact, when I was with the Pakistan team, I made him bat at No. 5. He has the potential. If he can win you matches both with the bat and the ball, that means you are equally good," Saqlain stated.

Heated discussion between Saqi and Hafeez on the roles of Nawaz and Shadab, Saqi shouldn’t be sitting in these shows if he can’t be unbiased pic.twitter.com/1Pgc31JFc1

— Ghumman (@emclub77) February 24, 2026

England Beat Pakistan in Super 8 Clash of the T20 World Cup 2026

Mohammad Nawaz has taken six wickets in five innings in the T20 World Cup at an economy rate of 7.5. He took 2 wickets for 26 runs against England. Both dismissals came in the second-last over of the chase, reducing the equation from five needed off 12 balls to three required from the final over.

However, England still sealed a two-wicket win over Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Skipper Harry Brook starred with a brilliant 100 off 51 balls, while Jofra Archer finished the match with a boundary in the final over.

Earlier, Pakistan chose to bat first but were restricted to 164/9 despite Sahibzada Farhan’s 63 off 45 balls. Liam Dawson claimed 3/24, while Archer and Jamie Overton picked up two wickets each.

Also read: T20 World Cup 2026 Qualification Scenarios for all teams: Who will make semi-finals?