In the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Team India, Pakistan suffered a loss by 61 runs at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
During the match, Pakistan stalwart Babar Azam yet again failed to deliver a big knock. Facing seven balls, he was dismissed on just five runs.
Following the loss, former Pakistan cricketers have criticised players such as Babar, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shadab Khan.
Former all-rounder Shahid Afridi said that he would have never picked that trio in Pakistan`s T20 team.
“If It was in my hands, I would not pick Babar, Shadab and Shaheen again in the T20 team. They have had plenty of chances to come through for Pakistan but failed again yesterday,” he said.
Batting great Javed Miandad stated that Pakistani players failed to show character in a big match.
“Bhai bade matches main hi players ko character dikhana padta hai, woh hamare players nahi dekha paye (In big matches, players have to show character. Unfortunately our players didn`t show that character),” said the 68-year-old former cricketer.
“Time`s up for Shaheen, Babar, and Shadab, Pakistan`s T20 squad needs new performers, not empty wins against weaker sides,” Mohammad Yousuf posted on his official social media handle.
Legendary Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar said that the national team`s fans have made Babar a superstar, who fails to help his side win the matches.
“You have made a superstar out of a player (Babar Azam) who cannot win you a game. For the last 15-20 years, there has been no investment. The sad reality of the situation is that while we fought with India on the ground at one point, today we can`t even dream of beating them,” he said.
Currently, the “Green Shirts” have slipped to the third position in Group A. Having played three matches, the side has won two games and suffered a loss in one clash. Salman Ali Agha-led team has a net run rate (NRR) of -0.403 and four points.
Pakistan`s next clash is scheduled to be played against Namibia on February 18 Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Sri Lanka.
(With PTI Inputs)
