All members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad have reportedly been fined following another underwhelming ICC campaign, marking the fourth straight global tournament in which the team has failed to reach the semifinals.
According to media reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) imposed a PKR 50 lakh fine on each player after Pakistan’s exit from the 2026 T20 World Cup at the Super 8 stage. The penalties were reportedly not linked to disciplinary issues but were purely performance-based.
Reports suggest the fines were communicated immediately after Pakistan’s 61-run defeat to India during the group stage, with a clause stating that the penalty would be revoked if the team progressed to the semifinals.
Pakistan did advance to the Super 8s but struggled thereafter. A washed-out fixture against New Zealand and a loss to England left their campaign hanging by a thread. Although they secured a win over Sri Lanka in their final match, the margin was insufficient to overtake New Zealand on net run rate, sealing their elimination.
Reacting to the reports, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi expressed surprise — not at the fines themselves, but at what he termed their inadequacy.
Speaking to Samaa TV, Afridi described the decision as “narrow-minded,” arguing that PKR 50 lakh was too small a sum to serve as meaningful punishment.
“What will you even do with 50 lakhs? It doesn’t even sound like a penalty,” Afridi remarked.
He called for tougher measures, suggesting that players who underperformed should be sent back to domestic first-class cricket. Afridi also said some members of the squad should not be considered for national selection for at least two years.
“Those who did not perform should be sent to first-class cricket. There are players who, in my view, should stay out of the national team for at least two years,” he added.
The PCB has not yet issued an official statement regarding the reported fines.
Despite the team’s disappointing campaign, Pakistan had one standout performer in Shahidzada Farhan, who set a new record for most runs in a T20 World Cup edition, scoring two centuries across seven matches.
