COLOMBO – The aftermath of Pakistan’s bruising defeat to India in the T20 World Cup 2026 is threatening to upend the team’s hierarchy. Following a 61-run thrashing at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, team management is reportedly considering the unprecedented move of dropping senior superstars Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi for the upcoming must-win fixture against Namibia.
Both players delivered forgettable performances in the high-stakes encounter. Babar managed just five runs before being dismissed by an uncharacteristic slog off Axar Patel. Meanwhile, Shaheen, usually the spearhead of the attack, bowled only two overs and leaked 31 runs, allowing India to propel their total to a formidable 175.
Management Demands Accountability
According to a GeoNews report, the Pakistan management, led by head coach Mike Hesson, is increasingly dissatisfied with the lack of impact from the squad’s veterans. The “think tank” is now eyeing a radical shift to test the team’s bench strength for the Wednesday, February 18, clash.
Key figures are feeling the heat:
- Babar Azam: Struggling for form throughout the tournament, his strike rate and composure under pressure have come under intense scrutiny.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi: His inability to provide early breakthroughs has left the bowling attack vulnerable, particularly on the tacky Colombo surface.
- Bench Rotation: Reports suggest two to three changes are on the cards, with young talent potentially replacing the established stars.
Fallout in the Boardroom
The magnitude of the loss was visible in the VIP stands as well. PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi reportedly left the stadium before the match even concluded, visibly upset by the team’s lack of fight. The match, attended by ICC Chairman Jay Shah and top BCCI officials, has amplified calls for a total overhaul of the T20 squad.
Captain Agha’s Defense
Following the game, captain Salman Ali Agha was left to defend a strategy that saw him bowl first at a venue where every previous 2026 World Cup game had been won by the side batting first.
“We believed in our spinners, but they had an off day,” Agha said during the post-match presentation. “Execution was missing. If you lose three or four wickets in the powerplay, you are always chasing the game. We didn’t apply ourselves or give ourselves a chance to go deep.”
What’s Next for the Green Shirts?
After a mandatory rest day on Monday, the squad will resume training on Tuesday. With Namibia standing between them and a potential early exit, the decision to bench their biggest icons would represent one of the boldest tactical shifts in Pakistan’s recent cricketing history.