PCB Set to Impose a Fine of PKR 50 Lakhs On All Pakistan Players For Their Underperformance in T20 World Cup

PCB is poised to penalize Salman Ali Agha, removing the 32-year-old as T20I captain after just one year following Pakistan’s recent struggles.

PCB Set to Impose a Fine of PKR 50 Lakhs On All Pakistan Players For Their Underperformance in T20 World Cup

The PCB has fined Pakistan players for their underwhelming 2026 T20 World Cup display. (Image via NDTV Sports)

In Short
  • PCB to impose a fine of PKR 5 million on each player for underperformance in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
  • Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign ended in the Super Eight stage with only one win out of three matches.
  • Shahid Afridi suggests Fakhar Zaman as a potential replacement for captain Salman Ali Agha following the team's disappointing results.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a surprising decision to penalize the men’s national team players for their underwhelming 2026 T20 World Cup display. Every player, including captain Salman Ali Agha, has been instructed to pay an astonishing fine of PKR 5 million.

Pakistan’s 2026 T20 WC campaign came to an end in the Super Eight stages, with the team winning just one out of its three matches in the second round. Grouped with New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka in this stage, Pakistan saw its first match getting washed out, before losing to England by two wickets. A win against Sri Lanka in the end could not see the team through, as they fell behind on Net Run Rate. 

This marks the fourth consecutive ICC tournament in which Pakistan has been eliminated before the semi-finals, a poor stat for a nation with a rich cricketing history. Their untimely T20 World Cup exit has sparked outrage not only among fans and former players but also within the nation’s cricket board. The PCB has responded by issuing an ultimatum, penalizing the 15-player squad with a substantial fine.

PCB has directed each player to pay a fine of PKR 5 million (roughly $17,900), a decision spearheaded by PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi. He is said to be dissatisfied with the team’s woeful display, with the fine not linked to disciplinary reasons. Furthermore, PCB also emphasized that the players must be ready to face financial consequences for failing to meet basic objectives with their on-field performances, just as they receive substantial bonuses for their wins.

Interestingly, sources also suggested that the decision to penalize the players was tentatively finalized as early as February 15. Naqvi was ‘furious’ after Pakistan’s demoralising 61-run group-stage defeat to India, specifically displeased with the team management’s tactical decision to bowl first and the team’s inability to handle pressure. The fine will not be paid out of the players’ pockets directly, but will straightaway be deducted from their salaries and their match fees.

Pakistan Cricket Board, however, may consider exempting opener Sahibzada Farhan from this collective fine, given his record-breaking performance of 383 runs in seven T20 World Cup matches. Previously, the PCB had briefly suspended all NOCs for its players following the Asia Cup final defeat.

Shahid Afridi backs 35-Year-Old to take over Pakistan T20I captaincy from Salman Ali Agha

A surprising contender has been put forth by former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi to take over as the country’s next T20I team captain. Afridi has thrown his support behind Fakhar Zaman to assume the role, in the aftermath of Pakistan’s 2026 T20 World Cup exit.

Shahid Afridi new Pakistan T20I captain
Shahid Afridi urged Pakistan to appoint Fakhar Zaman as new T20I captain, replacing Salman Ali Agha. (via NDTV Sports)

Salman Ali Agha’s T20I captain has come under intense scrutiny due to Pakistan’s disappointing results in major tournaments, including the World Cup and the Asia Cup. Multiple reports indicate that the PCB is unhappy with Agha’s leadership, and has resolved to replace him. Should a change in leadership occur, Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan have surfaced as two potential replacements for the 32-year-old.

However, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi went to the extent of suggesting that Shadab Khan does not even deserve a place in the playing XI, let alone be considered for the T20I captaincy. Afridi instead floated the idea of appointing the experienced Fakhar Zaman as Pakistan’s new T20I captain. The 49-year-old emphasized that Zaman’s aggressive approach would make him a successful captain.

Looking at the current situation, I would go with Fakhar Zaman. I want an aggressive captain. Right now, only one player fits the bill, and that is Fakhar.

Shahid Afridi said on Samaa TV

Zaman showed what he is capable of in Pakistan’s final Super Eight clash against Sri Lanka, where he forged a 176-run opening stand with Sahibzada Farhan. The left-hander recorded his first T20I fifty of the tournament, finishing with 84 runs off just 42 balls. 

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