Shahid Afridi calls Mohsin Naqvi CHEAP for punishing Pakistan stars financially

Former Pakistan National Cricket Team skipper Shahid Afridi is agitated and unsatisfied with the kind of penalty that has been imposed on the players for being eliminated without reaching at least the semi-finals in the fourth consecutive ICC tournament.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals. This marked the fourth consecutive ICC tournament where Pakistan failed to qualify for the knockouts. They failed to produce an impact in the ICC World Cup 2023, T20 World Cup 2024, ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan advanced to the second group stage after having lost their only group game to India. In the Super-8 group, they were in trouble with a washed-out game against New Zealand and a defeat to England. They won their final game against Sri Lanka, but the margin was not sufficient to take their net run rate past New Zealand's NRR.

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PCB imposed a bizarre penalty on Pakistan players after the T20 World Cup exit

After their exit from the ICC T20 World Cup, the squad that travelled to Sri Lanka have been penalized for their disappointing campaign in the ICC tournament. Following their elimination, the various media reports claimed that the penalty was issued right after the India game, with the condition that the penalty could be waived if they reached the semi-finals.

Pakistan players have been slapped with a PKR 50 lakh fine, which was not for disciplinary reasons but specifically for poor performances in the T20 World Cup. Though, this seems to be a very insignificant amount to scare the players enough.

Shahid Afridi pleads for Strict action instead of lame financial penalties

Speaking to Samaa TV, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said he was baffled by the media reports, not because the players were fined, but because he felt the punishment was not strict enough.

“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,” Shahid Afridi said.

Shahid Afridi demanded stricter action, suggesting that underperforming players should have been sent back to first-class cricket. He also suggested some players who should not be picked in the national team for the next two years.

“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,” Shahid Afridi added.

Should PCB treat Sahibzada Farhan in the same way as the other players

The PCB is yet to address these reports and should likely consider leaving out Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan from this list of players who have been imposed with fines. The opening batter was the standout performer in this edition of the Cup.

Pakistan were strong on the batting front only due to the exceptional contributions from the seasoned batter; otherwise, they would have suffered a massive collapse, just like it happened against India, the only game when Farhan failed to contribute with the bat.

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