Amir Slams PCB’s ₹50 Lakh Fines on Players After T20 World Cup Exit
Pakistan’s disappointing early exit from the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has once again exposed deep fault lines within the team’s setup, with former fast bowler Mohammad Amir launching a fierce attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over its decision to impose financial penalties on the entire squad.
According to reports, including coverage by The Times of India, the PCB fined each player PKR 50 lakh (approximately ₹15 lakh) not for misconduct but for failing to meet performance expectations during the tournament. Pakistan managed to beat Sri Lanka in their final Super 8 match, but the victory margin was not enough to overtake New Zealand’s superior net run rate. The campaign had already been hampered by a no-result washout against New Zealand and a close defeat to England.
Speaking candidly on the Pakistani show Haarna Mana Hai, Amir directly criticised PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and called for an end to the pattern of holding only players accountable. He argued that selectors and administrators should face equal — if not greater — scrutiny for team selection, strategy, and overall planning.
Amir pointed out glaring inconsistencies in the punishment: opener Sahibzada Farhan emerged as the tournament’s highest run-scorer in a single edition with two centuries, while Fakhar Zaman played just two matches. “If you want to fine people, fine everyone — from selectors to the administration,” he said. “No one forced the players at gunpoint. If the combination was wrong, hold the selectors responsible. Double their fine. Stop making players the scapegoats every time.”
ALSO READ : IND vs WI Preview: West Indies Stand Between India And Semifinal Spot In Kolkata Clash
He dismissed monetary penalties as ineffective and superficial. Instead, Amir advocated for more meaningful consequences: dropping underperforming players and requiring them to rebuild form through consistent domestic performances over at least two years before earning a recall. “Fines are not the solution,” he stressed. “I’ve been saying this from day one — invest properly in domestic cricket. That is where real talent will emerge. The harshest punishment for any cricketer is being left out of the national team.”
Amir’s outspoken comments reflect growing frustration in Pakistan cricket circles after repeated underwhelming performances in ICC events, and they add fresh momentum to long-standing demands for genuine structural reform rather than repeated player-targeted sanctions.