Salman Ali Agha’s Pakistan campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 ended without a semi-final berth, but the fallout around the team has extended far beyond the results. A heated public dispute involving Shadab Khan—sparked by criticism from former Pakistan greats—has turned into a wider conversation about respect, boundaries, and unity inside the national setup.
From World Cup disappointment to a public Shadab controversy
- Pakistan’s tournament run faltered, and the team failed to reach the semi-finals, prompting widespread scrutiny of both performances and approach.
- After Pakistan lost to India in Colombo, former stars Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousuf publicly argued that Shadab should be dropped.
- Shadab responded sharply, questioning their authority by highlighting that they were not part of a Pakistan side that had beaten India in a World Cup.
- The back-and-forth escalated quickly, as Afridi and Yousuf hit back at Shadab’s comments, turning what began as selection-related criticism into a more personal clash.
- The incident underscored a growing divide within Pakistan cricket, where criticism from former players can spill into confrontational territory and invite reactions from the current group.
Two months after the public flare-up, Babar Azam has stepped in with a call for equilibrium and mutual respect. Speaking during his captaincy role with Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League 2026, Babar defended Shadab’s right to respond, while also urging that such exchanges should not damage the team environment.
Babar’s message, delivered on Zalmi TV, was clear: it is acceptable for people to speak when discussing issues, but once a current player has made a statement, there should be restraint in how others react. He added that Shadab’s words were likely spoken in the heat of the moment and that everyone communicates differently.
He also stressed the wider consequence of these spats—arguing that players end up “fighting among yourselves” instead of focusing on collective improvement. Babar acknowledged that Pakistan did not do well at the T20 World Cup and that the team recognizes it fell short. Still, he pointed out the reality of modern platforms: with social media around, it is not possible to silence everyone.
The earlier spark: Shadab’s reference to 2021
Before Babar’s intervention, the debate was already re-ignited by Shadab himself. During a match against Namibia, he referenced Pakistan’s 2021 T20 World Cup triumph over India, which again brought criticism from former players. In his latest remarks, Babar said there is little room for direct comparisons—especially with eras that differ in experience and volume of high-pressure cricket.
He noted that if the earlier generation of cricketers believes the present group is making mistakes, then the current players must accept that perspective. However, Babar warned that problems arise when criticism turns into personal attacks, because players then feel compelled to answer back, affecting discipline and focus.
Babar also defended the concept of self-respect in sport. He said that while anything can be said in cricket, players also deserve dignity—and if respect is not shown, the response is often mirrored.
Babar’s PSL form and Peshawar Zalmi’s final
While the debate continues in Pakistan cricket circles, Babar has been delivering on the field in PSL 2026. He is leading the run charts with 588 runs from 10 matches, posting an average of 84 and a strike rate of 146.27. Peshawar Zalmi, under his leadership, will take on Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final on May 3.
