Pakistan players are likely to be fined by the PCB after their dismal show in the T20 World Cup 2026, as per reports. The decision from the Board has drawn some criticism from the former players. Pakistan crashed out of the tournament in Super 8 stage. Afridi, branded the decision, if true, as “choti soch” (small-mindedness).
“This is an incomprehensible decision; it’s small-minded – they are thinking small,” Afridi said on Samaa TV. “What will they do with PKR 50 lakhs? In my opinion, this isn’t a real penalty.”
The former Pakistan captain suggested that there are changes that need to be made in the team and further added that there are some players who shouldn’t return back to the squad for atleast two years.
“Those who didn’t perform should be sent back to first-class cricket. There are some players who, I believe, shouldn’t return to the Pakistan team for at least two years. I think these punishments are enough. Those who need to be rested should be given a rest. Changes within the players are enough. I don’t think there has been any official statement from the PCB yet,” Afridi said.
Shahid Afridi’s reaction to PCB fining cricketers Rs 50 lakh each after T20 World Cup poor performance.
pic.twitter.com/PhDlOxJoi1— Moments & memories (@momentmemori) March 2, 2026
Ex-India opener Aakash Chopra also took a dig at PCB and said that it is a just a way to grab money.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to fine its players after this disappointing World Cup performance. It’s five million Pakistani rupees—only about $18,000—but this makes them the first board to impose a financial penalty on players just because they couldn’t win matches or progress further. In fact, this penalty was initially considered after they lost against India, but it was thought that if they qualified for the semifinals, it would be waived since the campaign would have been acceptable. Now that hasn’t happened, so they’ve imposed the fine,” Chopra said.
“I mean, is this just a way to grab money however you can? Sahibzada Farhan must be thinking, ‘I scored the most runs and hit two centuries, what did I do wrong?’ And Naseem Shah must be thinking, ‘I only played one match, man!’ I mean, what is this? I am very surprised, honestly. Go after the selectors, man! Don’t select these players later if you want, but isn’t this way of making money a bit too ‘casual’?” he added.
Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka at 147 in their final Super 8 fixture in order to march ahead into the semis. However, Dasun Shanaka’s late surge denied the Pakistan side a place in the semi-finals as he hammered an unbeaten 31-ball 76. The right-handed batter couldn’t take his team over the line but played a superb knock to take them close.
Sri Lanka needed 28 runs in the final over where Shanaka hit 22. Earlier, riding on Sahibzada Farhan’s hundred and a brilliant 84 off 42 from Fakhar Zaman took the side to 212/8 in 20 overs.
