Pakistan exited from the T20 World Cup 2026 after they failed to secure a big win over Sri Lanka. The Salman Ali Agha-led side should’ve been in top four, with the tournament being played in subcontinent. For Pakistan, it was only played in Sri Lanka. They had an advantage but were poor in some departments.
However, players do not perform inferiorly intentionally. Yes, the management should look to make the team better and make changes. But to fine players for their performance is one of the most stupid punishments ever heard in cricket.
Pakistan players to be fined for early exit
According to multiple reports, every member of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad has been fined PKR 50 lakh (approximately INR 16 lakh) for failing to reach the semifinal stage. It marks the fourth straight global tournament where Pakistan have fallen short of the last four.
The fine, interestingly, was not for indiscipline. It was reportedly imposed purely for poor performance, and was communicated after the 61-run defeat to India in the group stage.
Pakistan made it to the Super 8s but a washed-out match against New Zealand and a defeat to England left them scrambling. A win over Sri Lanka wasn’t enough to overhaul New Zealand’s net run rate. The campaign ended not with a horrible collapse, but with a whimper.
Afridi calls it ‘narrow-minded thinking’
Former captain Shahid Afridi did not object to the idea of punishment. He objected to its scale. Speaking to Samaa TV, Afridi labelled the decision “chotti soch” — narrow-minded thinking. Not because players were fined, but because the fine, in his view, was too small to send a real message.
“This is a small amount. What will you even do with 50 lakhs? It doesn’t even sound like a penalty,” he said. Afridi went further. He suggested that non-performing players should be pushed back to first-class cricket. Some, he argued, should not be considered for national selection for 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.”
On paper, PKR 50 lakh is no small figure. For Grade C and D players, whose annual central contracts stand at 1 million + ICC share or 0.75 million + ICC share respectively, the penalty bites. It could wipe out months of earnings. PCB’s stance, reportedly under chairman Mohsin Naqvi, is that financial rewards must align with performance. They are done “pampering” players.
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