Lessons learned from Pakistan's 2026 World Cup exit

[Savak]

Pakistan played approximately 33 T20's against the likes of New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Australia in 2025/2026. We were heavily thrashed by New Zealand and India.

I knew full well playing against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh or even Zimbabwe was not going to add any value. We don't get any cricket against the strongest teams and even when we do, they send their C and D teams.

I think its a sad reality that the Pakistani players struggle to deal with the pressure involved in ICC tournaments.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Lesson learnt that this side under Naqvi and Hesson is a disaster... Salman should be sacked asap... Shadab, nawaz, Shaheen, saim should be dropped asap... Babar's t20 run is over.... Farhan and Fakhar are your 2 openers next. Bring some guys who actually are not bits and pieces guys... We cannot have all rounder obsession anymore.

 

[mon858]

That title of threads should be changed to lessons not learned. Otherwise people need to realize we are a 5th rank team at best and normally 6th to 8th (even WI can be better on normal batting pitch, and everyone forgot Australia who also on batting pitch would beat us)
Once you realize that there is no need for lessons threads.

 

[mon858]

Jokes aside if there is one lesson, not playing Abrar against England was the dumbest decision which probably cost the semi spot more than any other game or selection

 

[shah9425]

Jokes aside if there is one lesson, not playing Abrar against England was the dumbest decision which probably cost the semi spot more than any other game or selection

Another blunder we made

 

[Kianig89]

There will be no lesson learnt, some players will be dropped for a series or two , then they will be back deep down PCB knows they ve become a minnow.

 

[sithb]

It's cute how people always seem to think there are batsmen available in Pakistan who are ready to be international level batsmen ?

Pakistan was never known for producing strong batsmen. I'm aware of the greats who have represented Pakistan in the past but their strength was always in their bowling and gritty middle order batsman.

The modern game ensures that the Pakistani batters are still in the 2010s. Atleast 15 years in the past.

 

[Ball Blazer]

Shoaib Akhtar Takes Brutal Dig At Mohsin Naqvi After T20 World Cup Exit: "Seriously Wrong"​

Shoaib Akhtar took a dig at Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi after the Pakistan cricket team crashed out of the T20 World Cup 2026. Although Pakistan registered a narrow win over Sri Lanka in their final Super 8 match, they failed to sufficiently improve their Net Run Rate (NRR), as the Salman Ali Agha-led side lost out to New Zealand in the race for the semifinals. The former Pakistan pacer criticized Naqvi, stating that although the PCB chief is one of the most powerful chairmen in history, he has failed to build a strong management structure. Akhtar also pointed out that Pakistan has failed to reach the semifinals of its last four ICC events, including the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the 2025 Champions Trophy.

"Pakistan's management looks completely clueless. Today's team selection only confirmed that the XI picked over the last 15 days was wrong. There was one clear error: Saim Ayub should have played instead of Khawaja Nafay," Akhtar said on Tapmad.

"This selection showed that when you pick the right players for the right roles, they perform. Fakhar Zaman is a natural opener, yet he was not played earlier. Today, Farhan, Fakhar, and Abrar all delivered," he added.

The ex-cricketer did not mince his words, saying that if Pakistan continuously fails to reach the business end of competitions, it only shows that "something is seriously wrong within the board."

"I have nothing against Mohsin Naqvi. From what I hear, he is a good person. He is one of the most powerful chairmen in Pakistan's cricket history. He has influence, resources, and authority," he said.

"But if he (Naqvi) can't build a strong management structure and the team has failed to qualify in four consecutive tournaments, then something is seriously wrong within the board," Akhtar added.

https://sports.ndtv.com/t20-world-cup-2026/shoaib-akhtar-takes-brutal-dig-at-mohsin-naqvi-after-t20-world-cup-exit-seriously-wrong-11153856

 

[rickroll]

Pakistan played approximately 33 T20's against the likes of New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Australia in 2025/2026. We were heavily thrashed by New Zealand and India.

I knew full well playing against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh or even Zimbabwe was not going to add any value. We don't get any cricket against the strongest teams and even when we do, they send their C and D teams.

I think its a sad reality that the Pakistani players struggle to deal with the pressure involved in ICC tournaments.

What about West Indies? As a team don't they get similar exposure (or lack of exposure rather) like Pakistan but they seem to be absorbing and playing well in pressure situations - at least way better than Pakistan?

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Lack of accountability cost us.

Our openers gave us a start we could not have dreamt of. But afterwards no one took accountability.

When are you planning to come back to India?

 

[Cover Drive Six]

I think Pakistan learned their lesson very late by picking the correct XI in their last match of the tournament. They could have taken bold decisions earlier.

 

[rpant_gabba]

I think Pakistan learned their lesson very late by picking the correct XI in their last match of the tournament. They could have taken bold decisions earlier.

Was it actually a correct XI? I mean it was against a demoralized SL team and Pak team as a whole **** the bed, with ump bailing them out.

They need to go back to the seniors

RizBarRauf-SSA quad is the only path forward for PCT