Pakistani Cricket in Crisis: Calls for Key Player Overhaul

Following Pakistan's 61-run defeat to India in a T20 World Cup match, many former players and cricket experts are demanding significant changes, including dropping underperforming stars Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Their failure in the game has sparked widespread criticism and calls for a new generation of players.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Karachi | Updated: 16-02-2026 11:31 IST | Created: 16-02-2026 11:31 IST
Pakistani Cricket in Crisis: Calls for Key Player Overhaul
Babar Azam
  • Country:
  • Pakistan

Under scrutiny after a disappointing 61-run loss to India in a T20 World Cup match, Pakistan's cricket team faces calls for a revamp. Key players, including Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, did not deliver, prompting former players to demand their replacement.

The team's poor performance led former captains like Shahid Afridi and Javed Miandad to express their dissatisfaction. Afridi suggested that the time has come to groom younger talent, with legends like Mohammad Yousaf agreeing that it's time for seasoned players to step aside.

Critics, including Shoaib Akhtar and Ahmed Shehzad, voiced skepticism about the current squad's ability to compete with stronger teams like India. The defeat triggered a wave of criticism from the Pakistani cricket community and a reconsideration of the team's strategy and player selection.

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