Afridi calls for senior trio to be dropped; Yousuf demands clean-up after India defeat

ISLAMABAD: The fallout from Pakistan’s heavy defeat to India at the 2026 T20 World Cup has intensified, with former captain Shahid Afridi calling for senior players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan to be left out of the next match.

India outclassed Pakistan by 61 runs in a key group-stage clash on Sunday, sealing qualification for the next round. Chasing 176, Pakistan’s batting once again faltered under pressure.

Apart from Usman Khan, none of the batters managed to settle, and seven players combined failed to score even 20 runs between them.

Earlier, Pakistan’s fast bowlers and spinners struggled to make an impact, allowing India to post a competitive total with relative comfort.

Speaking on a private television channel after the match, Afridi said that he would bench the senior trio for the upcoming fixture against Namibia and give opportunities to younger players waiting on the sidelines.

“If I were in charge, I would rest Babar, Shaheen and Shadab for the next game and give the new boys a chance,” Afridi said.

“These senior players have been playing for a long time. If they cannot deliver in such an important match, then there is little benefit in persisting with them. It is better to test the bench strength.”

Afridi also questioned the team management’s tactical decisions, asking why Faheem Ashraf was not given the ball and why Usman Tariq, described as a trump card, was introduced only after 10 overs.

Separately, former batter Mohammad Yousuf described the current phase as one of the darkest in Pakistan cricket history and called for an end to political interference in the sport.

“It pains the heart to see the present state of affairs,” Yousuf said in a statement. He urged that incompetent individuals be removed not only from administrative posts but also from the team, adding that Pakistan could not rebuild a strong side unless political influence and personal interests were eliminated from cricket structures.

Yousuf has previously criticised the current squad, saying the time of Babar, Shaheen and Shadab had passed and that the team needed new performers. Relying on narrow wins against weaker opposition, he warned, was no longer sustainable.

With qualification now uncertain and scrutiny mounting, Pakistan face mounting pressure to reassess combinations and restore balance ahead of their next outing.