Pakistan players told to ‘take stand’ against PCB regarding being fined for T20 World Cup debacle: ‘Weak board’
Younis Khan, the legendary batter and former Pakistan captain, has urged the players in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad to take on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) if they have indeed been penalised for the poor performance in the 20-team tournament. According to several reports, the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB fined the entire playing squad for the early exit after the Green Shirts failed to reach the semi-finals. According to ESPNcricinfo, all members of the squad were fined PKR 5 million (approx. USD 18,000). To make matters worse, this decision was taken after Pakistan’s defeat against India, with one rider: it would have been waived had the team reached the semi-finals.
However, Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, crashed out of the T20 World Cup after failing to defeat Sri Lanka by 65 runs in Pallekele. The 2009 champions lost to India by 61 runs, then lost to England in the Super 8s, while the game against the eventual finalists, New Zealand, was abandoned due to rain.
Younis said that instances of players being fined by the PCB had occurred in 2003 as well, but the players had taken a stand and the decision had to be reversed.
“Is it confirmed? If it’s confirmed, then it’s not right. Earlier, an instance like that happened. In 2003, when we returned after the World Cup, Rashid Latif was made the captain, he received a message from the PCB that the match fees will be reduced to half and same will be done with allowance. 1-2 players had taken a stand against this,” Younis told reporters in Pakistan on Tuesday.
“The players now have to take a stand. If the players take a stand, then they wouldn’t be fined,” he added.
‘Weak board’
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif, who was standing beside Younis, echoed the same sentiment, saying the decision to fine the players makes no sense and it is just a deviating tactic employed by the PCB.
“Weak boards take such decisions of fining players. All the things are mentioned in the central contracts. This is just some theory floated in the media for you guys to enjoy. Nothing will happen,” said Latif.
The PCB has yet to announce that the players have been penalised officially. However, the board hasn’t denied the reports either. The Pakistan board is usually known to issue statements whenever there are reports of this alarming nature. Last week, the PCB denied media reports that pacer Salman Mirza had misbehaved with a woman at a Kandy hotel during the T20 World Cup.
The board asked the journalist in question to issue a formal apology or else face action.
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