Backlash mounts; Babar, Shaheen Afridi face axe

Pakistan are set to ring in sweeping changes for their must-win T20 World Cup clash against Namibia, with senior stars Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi likely to be dropped following the humiliating 61-run defeat to India in Colombo. A reliable source within the team management confirmed that the decision was taken late on Sunday night after intense discussions among the think tank. “Enough was enough,” the source said, indicating that both Babar and Shaheen are expected to be benched, with Salman Mirza or Naseem Shah in line to replace the left-arm pacer, while Fakhar Zaman could bolster the batting. The management is also keen to test young Khawaja Nafay in the middle order. The move reportedly follows strong displeasure expressed by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who left the Premadasa Stadium before the match concluded as India tightened their grip on the contest. Through a senior PCB official, Naqvi conveyed his dissatisfaction to team manager Naved Akram Cheema, making it clear that such performances in marquee fixtures were “not understandable or acceptable”. Head coach Mike Hesson is learnt to have addressed the players in the dressing room, telling them they had failed to perform to their potential on the big stage. Pakistan’s defeat — powered by Ishan Kishan’s blistering 77 — exposed glaring frailties. Chasing 176, Pakistan were reduced to 13 for 3, with Babar falling for five while attempting a rash stroke against Axar Patel. Shaheen, meanwhile, endured a torrid spell, conceding 31 runs in just two overs as India’s batters dominated proceedings. The backlash has been swift and unforgiving. Former captain Shahid Afridi called for a complete overhaul. “If it was in my hands, I would not pick Babar, Shadab and Shaheen again in the T20 team,” he said, urging the selectors to groom younger players. Batting great Javed Miandad lamented the team’s inability to show character in big matches, while another former skipper, Mohammad Yousaf, stated bluntly that it was “time’s up” for the under-performing seniors in the shortest format. Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar questioned Babar’s stature as a match-winner, remarking that Pakistan had “made a superstar out of a player who cannot win you a game”. Moin Khan admitted that India were currently a superior side in any format, while Rashid Latif conceded that Pakistan’s pre-match optimism had overlooked the gulf in class. Even tactical decisions came under scrutiny. Miandad wondered why Pakistan fielded just one frontline pacer, questioning the strategy of relying heavily on spin in conditions that did not warrant it. @##