T20 World Cup: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday reportedly slapped a fine of PKR 5 million (Rs 16.28 lakh) on every player who represented the Pakistan cricket team in the T20 World Cup. As per reports, the PCB landed on the decision after Pakistan failed to make it to the semifinals of the ICC T20 World Cup. 

Although Pakistan had posted a narrow win over Sri Lanka in the Super-8 stage, their Net Run Rate (NRR) was below New Zealand, leading to their elimination from the tournament. 

Board officials dismayed by team’s performance

Reports claimed that the board officials were dismayed by the team’s inability to deliver in another ICC event, and thus imposed the financial penalty. 

Meanwhile, former Pakistan cricket legends lashed out at the team’s disappointing performance. Former cricketer Javed Miandad criticised the players, saying, ““You get one chance in two years to leave an imprint of your country’s cricketing excellence and you fail again. It is very disappointing.” He further observed that the modern T20 cricket has evolved into a highly methodical format, and noted that the Pakistani players have failed to keep pace with the top-tier teams. 

Pakistan’s Former captain Mohammad Yousuf also chipped in, underlining that several players had been provided multiple opportunities to represent the nation in major tournaments, but still they failed to yield results. Moin Khan also voiced his opinion, emphasising that Pakistan cannot capture ICC titles without consistently defeating higher-ranked sides. 

Pak players face criticism

Pakistan’s former skipper Babar Azam, current captain Salman Ali Agha, and senior players including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, have come under intense public criticism.

Several reports suggest that Agha is likely to step down from leadership upon returning home, as calls for structural and selection reforms grow louder within Pakistan’s cricket fraternity.