Last Updated on 7 hours ago by Charbel Coorey
Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousaf are among those who are calling for Pakistan to select new players after the team’s disappointing 61-run loss to India in Colombo on Sunday.
The experienced trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam and Shadab Khan are in the spotlight after difficult outings in a game touted as a big test of Pakistan’s mettle. Shaheen looked short of a gallop once again, conceding 31 runs in his two overs as Pakistan opted to bowl 18 overs of spin. Shadab Khan went for 17 off his only over, while Babar Azam’s lacklustre form continued with a seven-ball five.
India, courtesy of Ishan Kishan’s magnificent 77 off 40 balls, reached 175/7 on a slow pitch. In response, Pakistan were never in the chase, falling to 13/3 in two overs. They collapsed to 97/9, with only Shaheen’s late boundaries getting them to 114.
Pakistan legends, fans call for changes following heavy defeat to India in 2026 T20 World Cup
Pakistan’s experienced players haven’t been producing the goods consistently for some time. Shaheen and Babar, two of Pakistan’s star players from their 2021 T20 World Cup win over India, both look a shadow of the players they were then.
Shaheen has three wickets at an average of 33.66 and economy of 11.22 in this World Cup. Babar is also fighting for his best form, scoring 66 runs at a strike rate of 115.78 so far.
“Time’s up for Shaheen, Babar, and Shadab, Pakistan’s T20 squad needs new performers, not empty wins against weaker sides,” wrote Mohammad Yousaf on X (formerly Twitter).
Shahid Afridi echoed similar thoughts. The former all-rounder said Pakistan’s crunch game against Namibia is a chance to try new players.
“Drop Shaheen, drop Shadab, and drop Babar,” Afridi said via SAMAA TV. “They’ve always let us down in crucial big games. Try fresh faces against Namibia and give the new players a chance to build confidence.”
Pakistan now face a crunch match against Namibia on Wednesday. Defeat means they will miss out on the Super Eights for a second-straight World Cup as their net run rate of -0.403 is worse than USA’s 0.788.
It would be a truly awful result for a team who came into the World Cup having beaten Australia 3-0. Also, they have had the benefit of playing all their matches in Colombo.
The situation highlights just how important Faheem Ashraf’s innings was against Netherlands on the opening day. Pakistan were on course for defeat following a huge collapse, but Ashraf’s 11-ball 29 spared their blushes.
