Pakistan faced a heavy 61-run defeat at the hands of Suryakumar Yadav-led India in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. After the loss, Pakistan legends want a few senior players dropped from the side. Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi doesn’t want Babar Azam, son-in-law Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan to feature in the playing eleven again. He wants youngsters to get a chance in the final group stage match against Namibia which has now turned into a must-win contest if they are to progress to the Super 8s.
“If I were to make a decision here, then I would say drop Babar, Shaheen and Shadab. Give new players an opportunity against Namibia and build their confidence. We have been seeing this for a long time now that the senior players have not been performing well against good teams, and if they can’t, then give others a chance,” Afridi said on Pakistan’s Samaa TV.
Babar became part of the collapse again. He got bowled by left-arm spinner after scoring just five runs. Shaheen unimpressive with the ball, conceding 31 runs from two overs. His only wicket was Axar Patel off the last ball. By the time he arrived at the crease in the run chase, it was already out of the grasp. He remained not out for 19-ball 23 as Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs. Shadab was wayward with his line and conceded 17 runs from the only over he bowled. In the run chase, he scored just 14 runs from 15 balls. He lost his wicket to Tilak Varma.
Not just Shahid, another Pakistan legend, Mohammad Yousuf wants the three senior players dropped too.
“Time’s up for Shaheen, Babar, and Shadab, Pakistan’s T20 squad needs new performers, not empty wins against weaker sides,” Yousuf wrote on X.
Who can replace Pakistan’s senior players in playing XI vs Namibia?
If Pakistan team management decides to act on public demand, they can replace Babar, Shaheen and Shadab with Fakhar Zaman, Salman Mirza and Khawaja Nafay/Naseem Shah. Naseem is capable of contributing down the order with the bat as well. However, if Pakistan want to bolster their batting lineup, Nafay is a better option. It will be interesting to see if Salman Agha sticks with the same combination for the match against Namibia.