Former captain and head coach of Pakistan national cricket team Younis Khan has recently reacted strongly to the news of fine imposed on players by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for poor performance in ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
The winners of the 2009 edition once again failed to qualify for the semi-finals as their journey ended in the Super 8 round of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, with New Zealand finishing in the top four due to a better net run rate and bowing out of the tournament. The Kiwis eventually lost the trophy to India in Ahmedabad.
Younis Khan reacts strongly to good reports after poor T20 World Cup 2026 campaign
Following the poor campaign, several media reports claimed that the PCB headed by Mohsin Naqvi punished Pakistani players with heavy fines for their disappointing performances. This step surprised many people. However, PCB has not officially confirmed the punishment nor denied these reports.
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Reacting to the controversial decision, Younis Khan has urged current Pakistan players to show courage and challenge the decision if the punishment is genuine. He reminded everyone that a similar situation had happened many years ago and at that time the players had stood united against the PCB’s decision, forcing the board to step back.
Younis Khan asked players to unite and challenge the decision
“Has it been confirmed? If it has been confirmed, then it is not true. Earlier, one such instance had happened. In 2003, when we returned after the World Cup, Rashid Latif was made the captain,” Younis Khan told reporters in Pakistan, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
He received a message from the PCB that the match fees would be halved and the same would be done with the allowances. 1-2 players stood up against it. Players will now have to take a stand. If players take a stand, they will not be fined.
Weak boards take such decisions: Rashid Latif criticizes PCB
Meanwhile, former captain Rashid Latif also supported Younis. He suggested that such fines do not solve the problems and only create more confusion in Pakistan cricket.
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Latif said, “Weak boards take such decisions to impose fines on players. Everything is mentioned in the central contract. This is just some theory spread in the media for the enjoyment of you guys. It will do nothing.”
Pakistani team fined 5 million PKR after being out of semi-finals
According to multiple media reports, each player of the T20 World Cup squad was asked to pay a huge fine of around PKR 5 million after the team failed to reach the semi-finals. The decision reportedly came after Pakistan’s defeat against India in Colombo.
If they had managed to reach the semi-finals the penalty would have been cancelled. The team had to face a heavy defeat of 65 runs against Sri Lanka in Pallekele, due to which their hopes were dashed.
They suffered a heavy defeat against England in the Super 8 stage, and New Zealand’s match was washed out due to rain, which did not help them in their semi-final qualification. They are currently preparing to face Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series starting on March 11.
