Pakistan cricket team is under a lot of pressure after the defeat against India. Last Sunday they suffered a 61-run defeat against their arch-rivals. There are reports that there may be major changes in the team in the match against Namibia on Wednesday. Senior players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi may also be ruled out of the game.
However, Pakistan is preparing hard for the next game against Namibia, which is a knockout game for the Men in Green. After the defeat against India, it has slipped to third place in the league table and its run rate has become negative. If Namibia upset Salman Ali Aga’s side, they will be eliminated from the competition for the second consecutive time.
Shadab Khan is confident that Pakistan will qualify for the final
Before the match, Pakistan team is practicing vigorously and no stone is being left unturned. After practice at SSC Colombo, Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan sent a strong message about the team’s World Cup ambitions. Shadab Khan is also under target for his poor performance with bat and ball. The all-rounder has failed to impress in the competition.
Here is the video
When was the final decision of retirement taken? pic.twitter.com/B8yi9EjyPW
– Anas Saeed (@anussaeed1) 17 February 2026
Shadab Khan was asked by a journalist whether Pakistan’s aim was to remain in the tournament till the semi-finals. Shadab Khan confidently replied: “Final, final, in sha Allah.” All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz was also heard saying, “Sha Allah, we are here till the final.”
Shadab needs to get back in form
Shadab, who was the third-highest run-scorer for Pakistan with 14 against India, failed with the ball and gave away 17 runs in the one over he bowled. So far in the competition, he has taken two wickets at a poor average of 27. Despite playing on slow and spin pitches in Sri Lanka, the Pakistani all-rounder has failed to impress.
The all-rounder has not been impressive with the bat either, as he has scored just 52 runs in three matches. Before the Super 8, they will have to perform against Namibia. If he does not do so, his place in the final eleven may be questioned.
Pakistan is moving forward step by step
After the defeat against India, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi raised questions on the poor performance of Babar, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan and not taking responsibility in big matches. He wanted all three players to be sat out and young players to be given a chance.
Pakistan will make changes in the match against Namibia, as there are reports that Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah and Salman Mirza may get a place in the match. Faheem Ashraf and Shadab Khan may be out of the team along with Sahibzada Farhan.
Pakistan’s only and last T20 World Cup win came in 2009 in England, where they defeated Sri Lanka by 8 wickets in the final. Since then, they have not won a championship. They played the 2022 final and lost against England by 5 wickets. They will first try to qualify for the Super8s and then think about winning the championship.
Also read: Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, other Pakistani cricketers made sacrifices to escape punishment after insulting India