T20 World Cup 2026: Two Pakistan stars likely to be axed after humiliating defeat against India

Pakistan are set to ring in sweeping changes after their crushing 61-run defeat to India in Colombo, with senior pros Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi likely to be left out of the must-win group clash against Namibia on February 18 in T20 World Cup 2026.

The loss at the R. Premadasa Stadium has triggered serious introspection within the camp. Despite restricting India to 175/7 after skipper Salman Ali Agha struck in the opening over to remove Abhishek Sharma, Pakistan’s batting faltered badly in the chase. The team, familiar with Sri Lankan conditions, failed to handle the pressure and collapsed well short of the target.

Head coach Mike Hesson is understood to have delivered a blunt dressing-room address, telling players they had fallen short of expectations. The team management held late-night discussions and reportedly concluded that bold calls were required to arrest the slide.

Sources suggest either Salman Mirza or Naseem Shah could replace Shaheen in the pace attack, while Fakhar Zaman may return to the XI in place of Babar Azam. There is also talk of providing opportunities to emerging batter Khawaja Nafay if the reshuffle materialises.

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The fallout has reached the top of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi reportedly exited the stadium before the match ended and later expressed his dissatisfaction to team manager Naved Akram Cheema, signalling that underwhelming displays in marquee matches would not be tolerated.

Former Pakistan stars have also weighed in. Shoaib Akhtar questioned the continued backing of out-of-form players, while Shahid Afridi publicly stated that even his son-in-law Shaheen should not be spared if performances do not improve.