New Delhi: After the Pakistan team’s shameful performance in the T20 World Cup 2026 Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken strict action and imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh (PKR 5 million) on each player. This decision was taken immediately after the crushing 61-run defeat against India. It is the first time that any Pakistan board has imposed such a collective financial penalty on the players.
How much did it cost Pakistani players to be out of Super-8?
This fine of Rs 50 lakh is not a small amount. For some players in the squad, this is more than their one month’s central contract salary. Star batsman Babar Azam, fast bowler Shaheen Afridi and all-rounder Shadab Khan have also been hit by this fine. The board has made it clear that now there will be a direct relationship between performance and money.
Why is PCB angry with the players?
According to PCB sources, the board officials bluntly told the players that a lot of importance has been given, now onwards financial benefits will be available only on the basis of performance. Currently, A category players get Rs 45 lakh as salary every month and Rs 20.7 lakh as a share in ICC revenue. Despite such huge salaries, the fate of the team on the field displeased the PCB.
What was the whole story of Pakistan?
In the group stage, Pakistan had a tough fight with Netherlands, then defeated America, but got beaten badly against India. Made a place in the Super 8 by defeating Namibia, but New Zealand’s match there was washed out due to rain and England lost. Pakistan scored 212 runs on 28 February against Sri Lanka in their last hope of reaching the semi-finals, but they had to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 runs or less. Sri Lanka scored 207 runs and Pakistan was bid farewell.
What was the real weakness of the team?
For Pakistan, Sahibzada Farhan scored the most runs for the team in the tournament with 383 runs, while senior batsman Babar Azam could not even touch 100 runs in the entire tournament. Among the bowlers, only Usman Tariq saved the honor by taking 10 wickets. Fakhar Zaman was kept out of the eleven in the initial matches and when he was given a chance to open against Sri Lanka, he scored 84 runs at a strike rate of 200, but by then it was too late.
Will Pakistan be able to improve cricket?
This is the fourth consecutive ICC tournament in which Pakistan has not been able to play the semi-finals. After the 2023 ODI World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy, now the semi-finals were not played in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Only time will tell whether PCB’s strictness will change the direction of Pakistani cricket or this trend will continue like this. But for the time being, this World Cup proved to be very heavy for the ‘Green Shirts’ not only in terms of respect but also in terms of pocket.
