Lahore: The Pakistani cricket team has been pulled up for its flop show in the T20 World Cup.
One more humiliating loss against arch-rivals India, in the preliminary round, as well as their failure to qualify for the semifinals have cost the Pakistan players dearly.
The Pakistan Cricket Board, helmed by Mohsin Naqvi, has slapped a fine of Rs 5 million Pakistani Rupees (PKR) each on skipper Salma Ali Agha, Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and the others, according to a report in The Express Tribune.
The green brigade, needing a big win in their last Super Eights clash against co-hosts Sri Lanka, managed only a 5-run victo
ry to help New Zealand qualify as the second team from Group 2 courtesy better net run rate (NRR). England topped their group.
South Africa won Group 1 and made the last-four stage along with India.
PCB officials felt that since players are rewarded for good performances, they should also face penalties for poor results, The Tribune reported.
The fines were imposed after Pakistan’s 61-run defeat at the hands of India on February 7, ESPNcricinfo reported. The players were told the fines may be waived if Pakistan reached the semifinals.
Pakistan did qualify for the Super Eights as the second-placed team from the first round’s Group A, but were then pushed to the back foot after their clash against New Zealand was washed out. Pakistan then lost to England, and with New Zealand hammering Sri Lanka, Babar & Co. were left with a stiff task against Lanka.
Former captains Javed Miandad, Mohammad Yousuf and Moeen Ali blasted the team and called for some radical decisions to change the fortunes of the national team.