Pakistan likely to drop Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi after India defeat: Reports

Pakistan are reportedly set to ring in major changes to their playing XI after their heavy defeat to India in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, with senior stars Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi facing the axe ahead of the crucial clash against Namibia.

According to reports, the decision was taken after Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his displeasure over the team’s performance in the high-stakes encounter in Colombo. Pakistan suffered a 61-run loss to India, a result that has left their Super 8 qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Advertisement

The team management is understood to be considering dropping Babar and Shaheen for the must-win Namibia fixture, with the likes of Naseem Shah, Fakhar Zaman and young batter Khawaja Nafay in contention for a recall. The move is seen as part of a broader plan to test younger players and shake up the struggling core group.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi also launched a scathing attack on the senior players following the defeat, urging the management to back fresh faces.

Speaking on Samaa TV, Afridi said the experienced trio of Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi had failed to deliver consistently in big matches and should be dropped to give youngsters a chance.

“Drop Shaheen, drop Shadab, and drop Babar. Try fresh faces against Namibia and give the new players a chance to build confidence. They’ve been playing for a long time. Whenever we expect them to perform, they don’t. If these senior players aren’t giving us the performances we desire, then play the juniors who are sitting on the bench. What is the difference?” Afridi said.

Notably, Shaheen Afridi is married to Afridi’s daughter Ansha, making the criticism particularly striking despite the family connection.

Pakistan must avoid defeat against Namibia to stay alive in the tournament, having already beaten the USA and the Netherlands earlier in the group stage.