ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Namibia vs Pakistan | Match 35 | Group A | Colombo | February 18 | Pre-Match Discussion

[Rana]

“Source has revealed that no agreement could be reached on dropping senior players against Namibia, the team management has finalized consultations on the playing XI against Namibia, head coach Mickey Arthur is adamant on playing Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Shadab Khan, there is a possibility that Sahibzada Farhan and Abrar Ahmed will be dropped from the playing XI against Namibia, Fakhar Zaman is likely to be brought in as opener and Naseem Shah is expected to take the field, deliberations are ongoing regarding giving a chance to Khawaja Nafay, the team management is reluctant to bench senior players against India despite their poor performance”

 

[Rana]

“Source has revealed that no agreement could be reached on dropping senior players against Namibia, the team management has finalized consultations on the playing XI against Namibia, head coach Mickey Arthur is adamant on playing Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Shadab Khan, there is a possibility that Sahibzada Farhan and Abrar Ahmed will be dropped from the playing XI against Namibia, Fakhar Zaman is likely to be brought in as opener and Naseem Shah is expected to take the field, deliberations are ongoing regarding giving a chance to Khawaja Nafay, the team management is reluctant to bench senior players against India despite their poor performance”

He clearly means head coach Mike Hesson

As I said, the rumours about dropping Farhan seem to be true.

Bunch of jokers lol

 

[msb314]

“Source has revealed that no agreement could be reached on dropping senior players against Namibia, the team management has finalized consultations on the playing XI against Namibia, head coach Mickey Arthur is adamant on playing Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Shadab Khan, there is a possibility that Sahibzada Farhan and Abrar Ahmed will be dropped from the playing XI against Namibia, Fakhar Zaman is likely to be brought in as opener and Naseem Shah is expected to take the field, deliberations are ongoing regarding giving a chance to Khawaja Nafay, the team management is reluctant to bench senior players against India despite their poor performance”

Bhai what Mickey anything to do with this lol

 

[Hawkeye]

Came across Babar, Usman Khan and Naseem at Galle Face mall.

Just approached Usman and tapped him and gave him a pat on his shoulder for his good effort against India.

Blanked Babar. He was wearing a Covid face mask anyways so I guess he doesn’t want to be approached.

Not sure why those blokes are out shopping on the eve of practically a knockout game though.

Are PPers planning any meetup at knockout stages?

 

[Devadwal]

“Source has revealed that no agreement could be reached on dropping senior players against Namibia, the team management has finalized consultations on the playing XI against Namibia, head coach Mickey Arthur is adamant on playing Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Shadab Khan, there is a possibility that Sahibzada Farhan and Abrar Ahmed will be dropped from the playing XI against Namibia, Fakhar Zaman is likely to be brought in as opener and Naseem Shah is expected to take the field, deliberations are ongoing regarding giving a chance to Khawaja Nafay, the team management is reluctant to bench senior players against India despite their poor performance”

Source is Bakri. Stop posting Fake news of Bakri .

 

[saabir]

He clearly means head coach Mike Hesson

As I said, the rumours about dropping Farhan seem to be true.

Bunch of jokers lol

Farhan is probably the only batsman who is in some form and they are going to drop him..can't be so dumb .. Babar, Shaheen and Shadab should be dropped and replaced by Mirza, Nafay and Fakhar. They have no choice . They should have selected Hasan Nawaz for middle order.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pakistan should play as many specialist batsmen as possible to avoid bad scare

 

[jnaveen1980]

Although we comment about his technique Farhan is still the inform batsman for pakistan. So he must play. If anything they have to play all the batsmen in their side then add bowlers. Not sure why you need 8 bowlers.

 

[sweep_shot]

He clearly means head coach Mike Hesson

As I said, the rumours about dropping Farhan seem to be true.

Bunch of jokers lol

How can they drop Farhan and not Shadab or Babar? Mindboggling.

 

[Josh]

Almost all other associates have a win under their belt in this T20 wc, hopefully the rain doesn't deny the chance to Namibia.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I’ve been crying out for this XI since the start of the tournament.

I also think you can drop one of shadab or Nawaz for Fakhar

You need the extra spin option on these pitches plus both can bat

 

[jnaveen1980]

You need the extra spin option on these pitches plus both can bat

I think on these pitches you don't need extraordinary spinners. Lot of part timers are doing well here. Primary job should be batting. This Pakistan has collapsed numerous times since the beginning of 2025. Eitehr top order or middle order collapse. So their batting has to be far more robust. Batsman are one mistake away. But bowlers can make mistakes come back and bowl. Solidity in batting is paramount. Almost all teams focus on that. THey don't carry this many allr ounders.

 

[adi_62941]

He clearly means head coach Mike Hesson

As I said, the rumours about dropping Farhan seem to be true.

Bunch of jokers lol

Why they want to drop the only slogger in the team

 

[Rana]

Are PPers planning any meetup at knockout stages?

Don’t know about me, plenty of people looking to knock me out here.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Game will be washed out, rain expected to last the duration of the game.

Forecast for this week in Sri Lanka is reqlly awful, all games will be affected.

 

[Cric1234]

Rain rules out a small chance of exit so not a bad thing actually.

 

[Hawkeye]

Don’t know about me, plenty of people looking to knock me out here.

Haha not really Rana bhai. Would love to meet if I make it there.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Almost all other associates have a win under their belt in this T20 wc, hopefully the rain doesn't deny the chance to Namibia.

A part of me will be very happy if that happens.

 

[CricVet]

Pak is full of shameless leaders and the PCB is its reflection.

I am very sure that Babar will be dropped for just ONE game. Once and IF Pak qualified for Super 8 or further, he will be brought back, so his delusional highness can have a dream of lifting the cup - that WILL NOT HAPPEN during his presence in the team, which is a given.

Showoffridi the same; not phattu but vacant top floor.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I think on these pitches you don't need extraordinary spinners. Lot of part timers are doing well here. Primary job should be batting. This Pakistan has collapsed numerous times since the beginning of 2025. Eitehr top order or middle order collapse. So their batting has to be far more robust. Batsman are one mistake away. But bowlers can make mistakes come back and bowl. Solidity in batting is paramount. Almost all teams focus on that. THey don't carry this many allr ounders.

I wouldn't be against the idea of dropping Shadab. You can definitely drop Shadab and bring in Fakhar Zaman. Nafay should replace Babar. You would still have six solid bowling options.

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Zero interest in this team now

Babar Shaheen Shadab needs to be kicked out

Salman Nafay Fakhar back in team

Me too

 

[CricVet]

 

[Ali Active]

Don’t know about me, plenty of people looking to knock me out here.

hows the weather for game ? tommorow

 

[DRsohail]

Source is Bakri. Stop posting Fake news of Bakri .

Patwari ha rahnay do.

 

[Rana]

hows the weather for game ? tommorow

It was supposed to rain today

No rain.

Can’t say anything bro.

 

[Suleiman]

Babar is sitting alone for some reason. Seems quite morose.

Tell him to read some of the threads on here for motivation. He may thank you.

You have the chance to be the turning point in his career.

 

[sweep_shot]

Don’t know about me, plenty of people looking to knock me out here.

Why?

 

[jnaveen1980]

I wouldn't be against the idea of dropping Shadab. You can definitely drop Shadab and bring in Fakhar Zaman. Nafay should replace Babar. You would still have six solid bowling options.

If you don't use Shaheen why is he in the side. or Faheem? It is almost liek Mike Hesson is doing some IPL teams do. Keeping some players for "just in case" scenario. You don't do that at this level that too for a anti-T20 batting line up. Besides bowlers were like Dre Russ who could cause impact in both discipline.

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Looks like Babar is playing tomorrow just read the article on Espncricinfo.com. I'm sure he will perform against associated teams. What has happened to him? Its so sad