The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly fined every player in the 2026 T20 World Cup squad a fine of PKR 5 million. The PCB took this drastic step after Pakistan were eliminated at the Super Eight stage. This is the fourth time in a row that they have failed to reach the semi-finals of an ICC event.

Reports said the fine was due to poor performance by Pakistani players. The decision came after Pakistan suffered a 61-run defeat to India in the group stage. That defeat shocked fans and angered PCB officials. This left former pacer Mohammad Amir fuming on live television.

Mohammad Amir hits back at Mohsin Naqvi and PCB

Mohammad Amir publicly attacks PCB’s move. He questioned why only players should suffer. He said if performance was the issue, then Pakistani electors and senior officials must also be held accountable. He made it clear that players should not be easy targets.

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Speaking on Geo News’ Harna Mana Hai show, Mohammad Aamir said, “If fines are the solution, then apply it to everyone from selectors to management. Players are not forced at gunpoint. If wrong combinations are chosen, make those selectors accountable. Don’t make players scapegoats; this is not a real solution. Why must players keep suffering?”

Mohammad Amir: Fines are not the solution

The former Pakistan pacer stressed that fines will not solve the problems of Pakistan cricket. He believes the real solution is to improve the standard of domestic cricket and build a strong bench strength. Amir noted that sacking underperforming players does more harm than cutting their funding.

Aamir further stated, “Fines are not the solution. I have been saying from day one, invest in domestic cricket. Don’t fine players; make them quit and tell them to perform consistently for two years. The biggest punishment for a player is to be dropped from the team.”

Shahid Afridi slams PCB over fine, calls move narrow-minded

Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi also criticized the decision to fine Pakistani players. He called it a small-minded move and said it was moot. The legendary all-rounder said taking money from players does not solve the larger problem.

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Afridi believes the focus should be on performance rather than penalties. He stressed that players who failed to achieve results should return to domestic cricket and prove themselves again. Afridi stressed that dropping players and making changes to the squad is a bigger and better punishment than fines.

“This is a puzzling decision; it is small-minded – they are thinking too small. What will they do with 5 million Pakistani rupees? In my opinion, it is not a real punishment,” Afridi told Sama TV.

Mohammad Amir said: “If fines are the solution, then apply it to everyone from selectors to management. Players are not forced at gunpoint. If wrong combinations are picked, make those selectors accountable. Don’t make players scapegoats, that is not the real solution.” pic.twitter.com/4THFftlTMq

——Salman. (@TsMeSalman) March 3, 2026

Mohammad Amir said: “Fines are not the solution. I have been saying from day one, invest in domestic cricket. Don’t fine players, get them sacked and tell them to perform consistently for two years. The biggest punishment for a player is sacking from the team.” pic.twitter.com/loqyMGPmH5

——Salman. (@TsMeSalman) March 3, 2026

Pakistan’s 2026 T20 World Cup Tour

Notably, the men in green were eliminated from the 2026 T20 World Cup in the Super 8 stage on February 28. Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 5 runs in the final, but the victory was not enough. They need to control the target better and hold Sri Lanka to 147 or less to stay ahead of New Zealand.

Sri Lanka’s score of 207 ended Pakistan’s hopes of advancing to the semi-finals. In the group stage, Pakistan won three games and lost one. They defeated the Netherlands, the United States and Namibia but lost to India by 61 runs.