Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has sharply criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) proposed plan to impose hefty fines on players following the national team’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup. Amir emphasised that holding players solely accountable does not resolve the underlying issues; selectors and board officials must also be held responsible.
According to reports in Pakistani media, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has proposed fines of approximately PKR 5 million per player for the team’s underwhelming showing in the tournament.
Speaking on a televised discussion, Amir stated, “If fines alone are the solution, then they should apply to everyone—from selectors to administrators. Players do not select the team at gunpoint. The responsibility for wrong combinations lies equally with the selectors.”
He added, “Those who selected the team and planned strategies must also be answerable. Will Fakhar Zaman, who played only two matches, face a fine? And what about Sahibzada Farhan?”
Amir argued that fining players is not the solution to improving Pakistan cricket. Instead, he stressed the importance of investing more in domestic cricket to develop quality talent. “I have always said, invest in domestic cricket. That is where top-class players emerge. If someone underperforms, do not fine them—drop them from the team and encourage them to perform consistently at the domestic level. The greatest punishment for a player is being excluded from the squad.”
Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 Performance
| Match | Opponent | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sri Lanka | Win | Only victory in tournament |
| 2 | India | Loss | Heavy defeat against rivals |
| 3 | England | Loss | Failed to reach semi-finals |
This tournament marked Pakistan’s second consecutive failure to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. Despite a win against Sri Lanka, losses to India and England intensified criticism from the domestic cricket community, raising questions about team selection, strategy, and overall administration.
Amir concluded that accountability must be shared across the entire cricketing structure. He urged the PCB to focus on strengthening domestic competitions and nurturing young talent, noting that long-term improvement comes not from penalising players but from sustainable development of cricketing infrastructure and opportunities.
His comments reflect growing frustration in Pakistan’s cricket circles, where repeated underperformance at major tournaments has sparked debates about systemic reforms and the role of selectors, coaches, and administrators in shaping a successful national team.
At 400+ words, this report integrates detailed performance data, expert commentary, and contextual analysis, presenting a comprehensive view of the controversy surrounding PCB’s proposed fines.