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Pakistan players fined Rs5m after World Cup exit: sources

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to impose a fine of Rs 5 million on each player following the national team’s disappointing campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

According to sources, the board has made it clear to the players that financial benefits will now be strictly tied to performance.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-final as their campaign ended in the Super Eights stage of the tournament.

In their final match, the Green Shirts secured a narrow five-run victory over Sri Lanka but failed to progress as New Zealand advanced on the basis of a superior run rate.

Earlier, in the group stage, Pakistan won three out of their four matches. They opened their tournament with an unconvincing win against the Netherlands, following it up with a decisive victory over USA.

However, they were completely outplayed by their bitter rivals, India, by 61 runs.

They won their last fixture against Namibia to advance to the Super Eights. But a washout against New Zealand and a subsequent defeat to England ultimately left their semi-final hopes hanging in the balance.

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For those unaware, an A-category player receives a monthly salary of 4.5 million rupees plus 2.07 million rupees as a share from ICC revenue. Meanwhile, Match fees are separate.

B-category players receive 3 million rupees monthly and 1.5525 million rupees as ICC share.

C-category players get 1 million rupees monthly and 1.035 million rupees ICC share. D-category players earn 750,000 rupees monthly and 517,500 rupees ICC share.

Notably, under the current central contracts (July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026), no player has been placed in the A category.

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Pakistan avoid whitewash against South Africa with massive win

DURBAN: Pakistan women’s team sealed a commanding 119-run win over South Africa in the third ODI to avoid a whitewash here at the Kingsmead on Sunday.

Asked to bat first, Pakistan racked up 306-8 on the back of impressive half-centuries from Sadaf Shams and skipper Fatima Sana in their 50 overs.

Shamas anchored the innings with a superb 97 off 82 balls, striking 16 fours and a six, while Sana injected late momentum with a rapid 60 off just 41 deliveries, laced with five sixes and three fours.

Shamas, who fell just short of a century, was named Player of the Match for her composed knock at the top.

She received valuable support from Sidra Amin (41) and wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi (36), ensuring Pakistan posted a formidable total.

For South Africa, Sune Luus returned figures of 3/42 in nine overs, while Nonkululeko Mlaba claimed two wickets. Ayanda Hlubi, Annerie Dercksen, and Chloe Tryon picked up one each.

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Chasing a stiff 307-run target, the hosts endured a disastrous start, losing three wickets for just seven runs inside two overs.

Annerie Dercksen attempted to revive the innings, first sharing a 90-run third-wicket stand with Faye Tunnicliff before Nashra Sandhu dismissed the latter for 47.

Dercksen then added another crucial 50-run partnership with Sinalo Jafta, but their departures in quick succession left South Africa reeling at 147/6.

Dercksen top-scored with a fighting 54 off 67 balls, while Jafta contributed 33, but the lower order failed to mount further resistance.

Pakistan’s bowlers capitalised on the momentum, bowling out South Africa for 187 in 36.2 overs.

Sadia Iqbal led the bowling effort with figures of 3/41, while Nashra Sandhu, Umme-Hani and captain Sana claimed two wickets apiece.

Tasmia Rubab chipped in with one to seal a comprehensive win for the visitors.

READ: FIH World Cup Qualifier: Pakistan prevail over China in thrilling win

Former Pakistan captain weighs options to replace Salman Ali Agha

KANDY: Former Pakistan women’s captain Urooj Mumtaz has expressed serious reservations over men’s leadership options following the side’s exit from the T20 World Cup 2026, admitting she is “clueless” about a ready-made successor to current skipper Salman Ali Agha.

Pakistan’s campaign ended despite a spirited five-run win over Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight fixture.

The 2009 champions had entered the contest knowing that victory alone would not be enough; they required a commanding margin to surpass New Zealand’s superior net run rate (NRR) and qualify for the semi-finals.

Posting 212-8 in 20 overs, Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or below. Although they clinched a narrow win, the bowlers failed to defend the required margin, sealing Pakistan’s fourth successive ICC tournament exit before the semi-final stage.

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, Urooj Mumtaz said Pakistan’s current pool of players does not offer an obvious long-term captaincy solution.

“I have a question mark,” she said when asked about the T20I leadership.

“I look down the list of 20 players that Pakistan has right now, and there’s nobody really there who screams ‘captain’ to me. Or someone you pen down and say, ‘right, he’s playing all games and fits in as player number one in all games, no matter what the conditions are.’”

While she acknowledged the impressive batting form of Sahibzada Farhan, she stopped short of endorsing him for the role.

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“Yes, Sahibzada Farhan, in his current form, is brilliant. I don’t think he is captain material just yet,” she added.

Mumtaz also pointed out that several senior players have already had their opportunities as the T20I captain of Pakistan, so they should not be considered again.

“Shadab [Khan] has been through that cycle, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been through that cycle, Babar Azam has been through that cycle. So I am very clueless right now,” she remarked.

On Shadab Khan, she noted that while he had previously shown interest in captaincy, his recent all-round returns against top opposition have not been convincing.

“I think he has a lot to prove in terms of his all-round cricketing ability. He is very short at this moment in terms of his batting and bowling against top-quality sides,” she said.

With Agha himself stating after the match that he will not make an immediate decision about stepping down, Urooj Mumtaz believes continuity might be the only practical route, at least for now.

“Unless you literally say ‘Sahibzada Farhan, two-year cycle, away you go’ or somebody like Saim Ayub, who I don’t think will be dropped for long and deserves a place in that XI — apart from that I don’t see any captain material,” she said.

“So, unless Pakistan has got a succession plan in place, probably continue with Salman Ali Agha till they find a replacement.”

READ: Kamran Akmal blames lack of T20 evolution for Pakistan’s World Cup exit

Kamran Akmal blames lack of T20 evolution for Pakistan’s World Cup exit

Former wicket-keeper batter Kamran Akmal has delivered a blunt verdict on Pakistan’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, arguing that the team’s inability to evolve with the modern game left them trailing behind the competition.

Pakistan’s shortcomings were laid bare during their lacklustre T20 World Cup campaign, which ended on Saturday when the team failed to reach the semi-finals.

From the captain Salman Agha, who was criticised for not being a T20 player, to slow batting rates and the use of all-rounders not up to the job, Pakistan were shown to be behind the times in the rapid-fire format.

Kamran Akmal believes there is a huge gulf in standard between Pakistan and the top sides such as India, West Indies, South Africa and England.

“Other teams have evolved to the demands of Twenty20 cricket, but neither our team nor our players meet those standards,” Akmal told AFP.

“It is like other teams are playing on the moon and we are on Earth. We only beat smaller teams but lose to top teams.”

Pakistan had high hopes for the T20 World Cup 2026 after sweeping Australia 3-0 in a pre-tournament series.

They boasted a quintet of spinners that should have been suited to the turning pitches in Sri Lanka, where they played all their matches.

But they received a rude awakening in their first match against the Netherlands when they squeezed home by three wickets in the final over, thanks to Faheem Ashraf’s 11-ball 29.

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Like most of his predecessors at World Cups, Agha blundered in the pressure-cooker match against India, which only went ahead after the Pakistan government U-turned on a boycott just days before the encounter.

Agha won the toss and asked India to bat. The decision backfired badly as Pakistan conceded 175 and were hammered by 61 runs.

Agha inexplicably held back his mystery spinner and chief weapon, Usman Tariq, to the 11th over, by which time opener Ishan Kishan had scored his match-shaping 77, and India were well on their way to a winning total.

“How on earth did you bowl at a venue which was suited to batting first?” questioned former Pakistan player Basit Ali. “After India scored 175, our batters failed to handle the pressure of a chase.”

Agha also held back Tariq’s second over against England, after he took a wicket in his first, allowing captain Harry Brook to build a sparkling match-winning century.

“It was weak captaincy from Agha,” said Kamran Akmal, who also took aim at the head coach Mike Hesson and the selectors.

“We were also not helped by head coach Mike Hesson, who has an obsession for bit-and-pieces all-rounders who were neither complete bowlers, nor good batters.”

Pakistan’s insistence on sticking with the out-of-sorts Babar Azam did nothing to help their shaky batting. The star batter’s slow scoring at number four interrupted the side’s rhythm.

He was dropped for the final match against Sri Lanka on Saturday, where Pakistan finally posted a total in excess of 200, but it proved too little too late as New Zealand progressed on net run rate.

READ: Sanath Jayasuriya to step down as Sri Lanka head coach after World Cup setback

Usman Qadir comes out of retirement, eyes Pakistan return

Pakistan leg-spinner Usman Qadir has officially reversed his retirement from international cricket, announcing on Sunday that he is once again available for national selection in all formats.

The 32-year-old, son of legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, had stepped away from international cricket on October 3, 2024.

However, in a fresh statement posted on his official X account on March 1, 2026, Qadir confirmed that he has withdrawn that decision with immediate effect.

Explaining the reasoning behind his U-turn, Qadir pointed to a recent stint in Australia that reignited his passion and belief.

“After a period of deep reflection and a successful stint in Australia, I have decided to officially withdraw my retirement from all formats of international cricket with immediate effect,” he wrote.

The leg-spinner revealed that his performances Down Under, where he claimed 41 wickets, played a decisive role in restoring his confidence.

“My time playing in Australia was transformative. Achieving 41 wickets and receiving such a positive response reminded me that my competitive edge is as sharp as ever. It proved to me that I still have a significant contribution to make on the global stage,” he stated.

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Beyond performance, Usman Qadir spoke emotionally about the weight of family legacy and the influence of those closest to him.

“Cricket is more than just a sport for me; it is a family legacy,” he said, referencing the towering impact of his father on Pakistan cricket.

“After discussing this with my family and considering my father’s immense contributions to Pakistan cricket, I feel a profound responsibility to continue. My family’s wishes, combined with my own burning desire to represent my country, have made this decision clear.”

Qadir acknowledged that reclaiming his place will require hard work but insisted he is ready for the challenge.

“I am fully committed to the grind and am making myself available for selection across all formats, starting from the basics, to serve Pakistan cricket to the best of my ability,” he added.

Signing off on an emotional note, he declared, “My journey isn’t finished. I am ready to carry forward the spirit of Pakistan cricket once again.”

For the unversed, Qadir has represented Pakistan in 26 international matches since his debut in 2020 during a T20I match against Zimbabwe. He has taken a total of 32 wickets during his brief international career.

READ: Salman Ali Agha addresses captaincy future after T20 World Cup exit

Salman Ali Agha addresses captaincy future after T20 World Cup exit

KANDY: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has addressed his captaincy future following his side’s elimination from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, despite a narrow win over Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight fixture on Saturday.

The 2009 champions entered the contest knowing that victory alone would not suffice; they needed a massive margin to overhaul New Zealand’s superior net run rate (NRR) and join England in the semi-finals.

Pakistan posted an imposing 212-8 in their 20 overs and went on to secure a five-run win. However, they were required to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or below to qualify. Falling short of that benchmark meant their campaign ended at the Super Eight stage.

Reflecting on the tournament, Salman Ali Agha did not shy away from criticism, admitting that Pakistan underperformed across departments.

“If I have to sum up the whole tournament, I think we played below-average cricket,” he said at the post-match press conference.

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“We couldn’t bat well throughout the tournament. If Sahibzada Farhan had more support, it would have been better. The middle order has been a problem for a few years now, and we’ll have to look at that.”

He also stated that both he and head coach Mike Hesson would take full responsibility for the team’s performance.

“We haven’t qualified for the semi-finals in the last four ICC tournaments because we haven’t made the right decisions at crucial moments. The coach and I will take full responsibility for this performance,” he said.

Salman Ali Agha also made it clear that he will not make an immediate decision on his captaincy.

“If I decide about my captaincy right now, it would be an emotional decision. I will go back, take a few days, and then see what decision I make,” he said.

READ: Daren Sammy hopes to repeat 2016 script in India T20 World Cup clash

Babar dropped as Sri Lanka win toss against Pakistan

KANDY: Sri Lanka have won the toss and decided to bowl first against Pakistan in the crucial Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Playing XIs

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

Head to Head

Both teams have met 29 times in T20Is, with the Green Shirts winning 17 games, whereas the Islanders have managed to win 12.

In the T20 World Cups, the two teams have met four times, with each team winning two games.

READ: Pakistan set for bold changes in Playing XI for must-win Sri Lanka clash

Pakistan set for bold changes in Playing XI for must-win Sri Lanka clash

KANDY: Pakistan are poised to ring in sweeping changes in the Playing XI for their decisive Super Eight fixture against Sri Lanka in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on Saturday at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

With their semi-final hopes hanging by a thread, the team management is expected to reshuffle the playing XI in a bid to engineer the massive victory required to stay alive in the tournament.

Fast bowler Mohammad Salman Mirza is likely to make way for spinner Abrar Ahmed, who has not featured since the group-stage matches against the Netherlands, USA and India.

Young batter Khawaja Nafay is also tipped to return for the high-stakes encounter and could replace all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz in the XI.

There is further speculation that senior batter Babar Azam may be rested, while pace all-rounder Faheem Ashraf is in contention for inclusion.

While Sri Lanka have already been knocked out of the competition, Pakistan enter the contest under immense pressure.

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The Green Shirts sit third in Super Eight Group 2 with just one point from two matches and a net run rate (NRR) of -0.461.

To qualify for the semi-finals, Pakistan must not only beat Sri Lanka but do so convincingly.

With New Zealand holding a superior NRR of 1.390, Pakistan need a win by roughly 65 runs or chase down a target within 13 overs to leapfrog the Black Caps.

England’s recent victory over New Zealand has kept Pakistan’s campaign alive, but their fate now rests entirely in their own hands.

Anything short of the required margin will see New Zealand join England in progressing to the semi-finals from Group 2.

Pakistan’s likely playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (c), Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq.

READ: Kandy weather update ahead of Pakistan-Sri Lanka Super Eight clash

Kandy weather update ahead of Pakistan-Sri Lanka Super Eight clash

KANDY: Pakistan’s do-or-die Super Eight clash against co-hosts Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to unfold under clear skies at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, with weather unlikely to disrupt proceedings.

As of 7 PM local time, conditions in Kandy are expected to be ideal for cricket.

The temperature will hover around 25°C, with a matching RealFeel, while a gentle north-westerly breeze at 6 km/h, gusting up to 13 km/h, should offer slight relief from the humidity.

Humidity levels stand at 62%, accompanied by a dew point of 18°C, creating a mildly muggy atmosphere.

However, cloud cover is almost non-existent at just 2%, visibility stretches to eight kilometres, and the cloud ceiling is positioned high at 9,100 metres.

With the AccuLumen Brightness Index reading zero, the encounter will be played entirely under floodlights.

While air quality has been flagged as unhealthy for sensitive individuals, playing conditions themselves appear well-suited for an uninterrupted contest.

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For Sri Lanka, the fixture carries little more than pride, having already been eliminated from the tournament. For Pakistan, however, the stakes could not be higher.

The Green Shirts sit third in Super Eight Group 2 with just one point from two matches and a net run rate (NRR) of -0.461. Their semi-final ambitions hinge not only on victory but on the scale of it.

With New Zealand currently boasting a superior NRR of 1.390, Pakistan require a commanding win to leapfrog the Black Caps in the standings.

Calculations suggest they must defeat Sri Lanka by approximately 65 runs, or chase down a target within 13 overs, to overhaul New Zealand’s net run rate.

England’s recent win over New Zealand has kept Pakistan’s hopes flickering, but their fate now rests entirely in their own hands.

Anything less than the required margin would see New Zealand advance alongside England to the semi-finals from Group 2.

READ: Shahid Afridi names Agha’s replacement for Pakistan captaincy

T20 World Cup: Pakistan semi-final scenario after New Zealand defeat

COLOMBO: England’s dramatic four-wicket win over New Zealand by four wickets in the Group 2 Super Eight fixture has kept Pakistan alive in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Before heading into the fixture, Pakistan needed an England win over New Zealand to remain in contention for the semi-final.

England chased down a stiff 160-run target on the third ball of the final over, with Will Jacks hitting a boundary behind fine leg to seal the victory.

New Zealand were in command when Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed joined hands in the 17th over, with the Three Lions requiring 43 from 18 balls. However, a 22 run over from Glenn Phillips turned the game on its head.

The next over unfolded in a similar manner as Rehan struck boundaries off the first and final deliveries to collect 16 runs. That left England needing just five runs in the final over.

Will Jacks, who remained unbeaten on 32 from 18, was awarded Player of the Match for his all-round contribution.

With this win, England denied New Zealand a direct chance of reaching the semi-finals, leaving their fate dependent on the Sri Lanka- Pakistan clash.

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For Pakistan to advance to the semis, they need to beat Sri Lanka by approximately 65 runs or chase the target in about 13 overs.

However, this remains an estimate, with the exact qualification scenario to be confirmed after the conclusion of the first innings.

The first semi-final will be played in Colombo if Pakistan manage to win, according to the required equation.

But a defeat would mean the first semi-final will be staged in Kolkata — unless South Africa lose to Zimbabwe and India somehow top Group 1.

READ: Salman wary of ‘critical situation’ before Sri Lanka clash