Pakistanturbulent campaign of t20 world cup 2026 Another wave of domestic debate has started with the former captain shahid afridi The leadership abilities of the star all-rounder are being openly questioned. As speculation grows over a possible change in captaincy following the team’s disappointing performance, Afridi’s sharp comments have added to the already intense conversation over the direction of Pakistan cricket.
Pakistan’s campaign in T20 World Cup 2026 was below average
Pakistan crashed out of the 2026 T20 World Cup at the Super Eight stage, failing to make the semi-finals in what turned out to be a campaign of missed opportunities. Although they registered a narrow five-run win over Sri Lanka in their final Super 8 match, it was not enough to keep their hopes alive.
led by captain salman ali agaThe trip to Pakistan was full of inconsistencies. The defeat to India in the group-stage took a toll on their form early on and their inability to finish off crucial moments in the Super Eights ultimately proved costly. When the points were tallied, Pakistan found itself out due to a lower net run rate than New Zealand.
The narrow margin reflected a broader issue – flashes of talent but little sustained control. The early exit of a talent-laden team has prompted serious introspection in the cricket world in Pakistan.
Shahid Afridi raised questions on Pakistan’s next possible captaincy candidate
Following abolition, criticism has become widespread. While Agha has faced scrutiny for his leadership during the tournament, reports suggest Shadab Khan Afridi gave a strong reaction on whether Afridi could be selected as the next T20 captain. Speaking on SAMAA TV, Afridi did not shy away from criticizing Shadab.
“Looking at his performance, I wouldn’t even keep him in the team, leave alone captain him,” The former all-rounder said while reacting to the speculations about Shadab replacing Salman.
Afridi further said that repeated support from the team management yielded no results.
“The head coach is giving opportunities to Shadab on occasion. That’s why I said that Shadab can become the next captain of Pakistan. But looking at his recent performance, he doesn’t even deserve a place in the playing eleven.” He added.
Shadab’s statistics in the tournament make for uncomfortable reading. In seven matches, he took only five wickets and scored 118 runs – figures below expectations for a player considered one of Pakistan’s leading all-rounders. His struggles with both bat and ball became a topic of discussion, especially in high-pressure games where senior players are expected to step up.
Afridi’s comments reflect huge disappointment among fans who believe leadership should be earned through consistent performance rather than prestige.
Also read: ICC reveals match officials for T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals
What’s next for Pakistan?
With their T20 World Cup campaign over, Pakistan are now turning their focus to rebuilding and realigning. The team is entering a period of transition, both competitively and structurally.
As preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup begin, immediate attention turns to the 50-over format. Pakistan are scheduled to reach Dhaka on March 9 for a three-match ODI series, with all games being played day-night at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The series provides an opportunity to reset combinations and evaluate emerging players.
Later in the year, Pakistan will tour England for a three-match Test series starting at Headingley on August 19 – a challenging task that will test the team’s resilience in red-ball cricket.
Also read: PCB prepares to punish Pakistani players after poor performance in T20 World Cup 2026 – report