The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is unhappy with Shadab Khan after his public remarks targeting former Pakistan players during the T20 World Cup 2026. According to reports, PCB officials have warned the all-rounder to be careful in his choice of words and avoid using such language during the World Cup.
After Pakistan’s defeat to India in Colombo on February 15, former captain Shahid Afridi urged the team management to drop Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Shadab. Mohammad Yousuf also said that the management should start testing their bench strength and give chances to younger players.
Pakistan qualified for the Super 8s by defeating Namibia in their last Group A match, after which Shadab was asked about the criticism. He also said that earlier generations were never able to beat India in any World Cup. Pakistan achieved their only World Cup win over India in both 50-over and T20 formats in 2021.
PCB issues stern warning to Shadab Khan over his comments
According to a report by Telecom Asia Sport, the PCB has issued a warning to Shadab Khan following his recent comments about former players. The all-rounder was instructed not to use such language again and be more careful with his words during the ongoing World Cup.
“Naveed Cheema has been called in to tell Shadab he was out of bounds at the press conference on Wednesday night,” Telecom Asia Sport quoted a source as saying.
“Shadab should know that all the former players, including his father-in-law Saqlain Mushtaq, are respected and great players of Pakistan. Shadab should respect them and not use such language,” the source said.
Pakistan management tightens media control in T20 World Cup 2026
Pakistan’s team management has tightened control over what players talk about while interacting with the media before and after the match. Ahead of the Namibia match, mystery spinner Usman Tariq was stopped from answering questions as to why he was introduced only in the 11th over against India.
Media manager Naeem Gilani said, “Tariq will not answer this because head coach Mike Hesson has answered this question after the match against India.”
Pakistan became the last team to reach the Super 8 by defeating Namibia. The Salman Ali Aga-led team will begin the next leg against New Zealand on Saturday. They will also face England and Sri Lanka in the Super 8.
Those were unwanted comments – Shadab Khan’s father-in-law
Shadab’s father-in-law Saqlain Mushtaq disagreed with Shadab’s comments and called them unwarranted. The former spinner said that many players of his generation, including himself, have never won an ICC competition, but they do not deserve to be dismissed like this.
“Those were unsolicited comments and most of the players played with me. In fact, I am also one of them who did not win an ICC competition but we won a lot of big matches for Pakistan in Tests and ODIs,” Saqlain told Telecom Asia Sport.
Also read: Shadab Khan gives religious angle to Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 trip
