Pakistan’s turbulent campaign at the T20 World Cup 2026 has triggered another wave of debate back home, with former captain Shahid Afridi openly questioning the leadership credentials of star all-rounder. As speculation grows over a possible change in captaincy following the team’s underwhelming run, Afridi’s blunt remarks have added fuel to an already intense conversation around Pakistan cricket’s direction.

Pakistan’s below-average campaign in T20 World Cup 2026

Pakistan were knocked out of the 2026 T20 World Cup at the Super Eight stage, failing to secure a semi-final berth in what turned out to be a campaign of missed chances. Although they signed off with a narrow five-run victory over Sri Lanka in their final Super 8 fixture, it wasn’t enough to keep their hopes alive.

Led by captain Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan’s journey was marked by inconsistency. A damaging group-stage defeat to India dented their momentum early, and their inability to close out crucial moments in the Super Eights ultimately proved costly. When the points were tallied, Pakistan found themselves eliminated due to an inferior net run rate compared to New Zealand.

The narrow margins reflected a broader issue — flashes of brilliance but little sustained control. For a team rich in talent, the early exit has prompted serious introspection within cricketing circles in Pakistan.

Shahid Afridi questions Pakistan’s next potential captaincy candidate

In the aftermath of the elimination, criticism has been widespread. While Agha has faced scrutiny for his leadership during the tournament, reports suggesting that Shadab Khan could be considered as the next T20 captain sparked a strong reaction from Afridi.Speaking on Samaa TV, Afridi did not hold back while criticizing Shadab.

“Looking at his performance, I wouldn’t even keep him in the team, let alone give him the captaincy,” the former all-rounder said while reacting to speculation about Shadab replacing Salman.

Afridi went further, suggesting that repeated backing from the team management has not translated into results.

“The head coach is giving Shadab chance after chance. That’s why I said Shadab can become the next Pakistan captain. But looking at his recent performances, he doesn’t even deserve a place in the playing XI,” he added.

Shadab’s numbers from the tournament make for uncomfortable reading. Featuring in seven matches, he managed just five wickets and scored 118 runs — figures that fall short of expectations from a player considered one of Pakistan’s premier all-rounders. His struggles with both bat and ball became a talking point, particularly in high-pressure games where senior players are expected to rise.

Afridi’s remarks reflect a larger frustration among fans who believe leadership should be earned through consistent performances rather than reputation.

Also READ: ICC unveils match officials for T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals

What’s next for Pakistan?

With their T20 World Cup campaign over, Pakistan now shift focus to rebuilding and recalibrating. The team is entering a period of transition, both competitively and structurally.

The immediate attention turns to the 50-over format as preparations begin for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Pakistan are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on March 9 for a three-match ODI series, with all games set to be day-night fixtures at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The series offers an opportunity to reset combinations and evaluate emerging players.

Later in the year, Pakistan will tour England for a marquee three-match Test series starting August 19 at Headingley — a challenging assignment that will test the team’s resilience in red-ball cricket.

Also READ: PCB set to penalise Pakistan players following underwhelming display at T20 World Cup 2026 – Reports

Mumbai: A teenager was reported dead following a drunken mob attack, and many others were injured during Holi festivities on Tuesday. Some paediatric patients as young as five years old were brought in with allergic rashes, while others were referred to ophthalmology or orthopaedic wards. The deceased was identified as 18-year-old Tushar Sunil Unjanwal, who was playing Holi near the Wadala Truck Terminus. He was declared “brought dead” at Sion Hospital.

Hospital officials said his wounds were severe, including trauma to his left toes and middle fingers, a head injury, and blunt force trauma to the right side of his face. “We were told he was attacked by 8 to 10 people,” said a hospital doctor.Thirteen other injured individuals, all male, were rushed to Sion Hospital by 6pm, most of whom were residents of Dharavi. Two of them admitted themselves after feeling drowsy due to bhang consumption. A similar situation unfolded at KEM Hospital, where 35-year-old Harishchandra Gadmale suffered severe head injuries. His wife, Vinaya, told TOI he was rushed in after being assaulted by drunk men during the celebrations. In total, the hospital saw at least 10 people, 5 of whom were children. Four children, aged between 6 and 12, suffered trauma to the head, upper back, and eyes.Seven people were rushed to Nair Hospital with similar injuries and three at Cooper Hospital, including a 35-year-old woman with burn injuries on the right side of her face.

Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha, right, has a word with teammate Shaheen Shah Afridi during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Februrary 28, 2026. (AP)

Senior selection committee member Aleem Dar has resigned from his position with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the national team’s exit from the T20 World Cup, news agency PTI reported on Tuesday, quoting sources. His resignation comes after Pakistan failed to reach the semifinals of the tournament.“Former ICC elite panel umpire Dar has sent his resignation which is yet to be accepted,” a source close to the PCB was quoted as saying by PTI.

Dar serves on the selection committee alongside former Test cricketers Asad Shafiq and Aaqib Javed. As per the PTI report, Dar stepped down due to concerns over the authority given to head coach Mike Hesson in team selection decisions.“Aleem is very upset that when the World Cup squad was being selected he had resisted the inclusion of Babar Azam and Shadab Khan in the squad without any performance but Hesson insisted on having them,” the source was quoted as saying by PTI.The source added that Dar was surprised that captain Salman Agha and other selectors did not oppose the coach’s role in the process.“Aleem had also insisted that when Babar and Shadab could be called in without performance, Muhammad Rizwan should be included in place of Usman Khan because of his experience but no one supported him.”Pakistan lost to India in the group stage and then to England in the Super Eight stage, while their match against New Zealand was washed out. They defeated Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight fixture but still did not qualify for the semifinals.According to the PTI report, the team’s performance has caused concern within the PCB and among figures in the government.The PCB has also reportedly imposed fines of PKR 50 lakh on each player after the team failed to reach the semifinals. The Express Tribune reported on Monday that PCB “officials have clearly told the players that enough pampering has been done — from now on, financial benefits will only come with performance.”

Mumbai: Less than a month after the BJP took over the BMC and corporators were elected, allegations of corruption in tenders have started. The BJP has alleged rigging in the Rs 490-crore tender for the expansion of Byculla Zoo. Mumbai BJP chief MLA Ameet Satam has written to Mayor Ritu Tawde and municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, asking them to issue a global tender for phase III expansion of Byculla Zoo. Satam alleged there are ‘attempts to rig this tender by incorporating certain conditions that appear suited to specific contractors to allow contractors involved in bridges, roads, and SWD works to qualify for this tender instead of international companies’.

Officials said the BMC is drafting a new tender to expand Byculla Zoo to include a new 10-acre “exotic zone,” featuring over 20 species such as jaguars, white lions, cheetahs, pumas, and meerkats. Officials said as part of the Rs 490-crore revamp, this phase III expansion will include theme-based, immersive, and conservation-focused habitats for animals and birds from across the world. “There are attempts to rig this tender by incorporating certain conditions that appear suited to specific contractors. This is to allow BMC contractors involved in bridges, roads, and SWD works to qualify for this tender on the grounds that it includes civil work,” said Satam. He said creating an exotic animal zone is highly specialized work requiring specific expertise, and regular BMC contractors are adequately equipped to undertake such a project. “Therefore, the BMC should issue a global tender for this project, allowing international companies with relevant expertise to bid at competitive rates to create one of the finest exotic animal exhibits in Asia. This would enable a skilled international company, or a national company with prior experience in similar projects, to undertake this specialized work,” said Satam. Gagrani did not respond to a query from TOI. However, a senior official said the tender was in the draft stage and some conditions in the tender, like having experience of constructing bridges and flyovers in Mumbai were out of place and restrictive. However, so far, the BMC has not taken a decision to float a global tender to allow reputed companies that have experience of constructing and operating zoos to participate. The Byculla zoo tenders have been marred by allegations of rigging and cartelization for close to a decade now. Almost every tender floated by the BMC related to the zoo has turned controversial.

You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/iran-israel-war-they-want-to-talk-i-said-too-late-trump-on-irans-military-leadership-11163955” on this server.

Reference #18.6fdd417.1772581478.11243355

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.6fdd417.1772581478.11243355

Russia on Tuesday claimed that India has signalled “renewed interest” in importing larger volumes of Russian crude oil as disruptions mount in global energy supplies following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz after US and Israeli strikes on Iran.The Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil shipping chokepoint, has been facing disruptions after Iranian actions in response to the strikes.

Moscow sees fresh demand from India

“Yes, we are getting signals of renewed interest from India,” Russian deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told state-run Rossiya 1 TV on the sidelines of an event in Moscow, according to news agency PTI.

Novak, who oversees Russia’s energy sector, also did not rule out the possibility that the European Union could reconsider its decision to curtail imports of Russian hydrocarbons in view of the unfolding energy crisis.Nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supply and a significant share of liquefied natural gas exports pass through the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf with global markets. Any prolonged restriction on traffic threatens to disrupt supplies to major importers such as India, China and Japan, and could push up global crude prices.

Discounts to Asian buyers may narrow

According to Russia’s NTV channel, owned by energy giant Gazprom, the escalation of hostilities and Iran’s strikes on oil and gas infrastructure in Gulf countries could help Moscow reduce the “deep discounts” it has been offering to Asian buyers, including India.Russia has been India’s largest crude supplier in recent months, although the gap with Saudi Arabia narrowed earlier this year. Russian supplies to India stood at a little over 1 million barrels per day (mbd) in February, compared with 1.1 mbd in January and 1.2 mbd in December.Saudi Arabia emerged as a close second in February, with supplies rising 30 per cent to over 1 mbd, the highest import level from the kingdom in nearly six years, as per data from Kpler.

India monitoring Gulf crisis closely

Amid the escalating crisis, Russia has indicated it is ready to support India with energy supplies in case of disruptions arising from the Middle East tensions, Reuters reported.

Iran has targeted oil refineries and production sites across the region in retaliatory strikes and closed the Strait of Hormuz for commercial activities, with its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warning that any ship passing through could be set on fire.India, however, has sought to reassure markets about its preparedness.Petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Tuesday that the country has sufficient reserves of crude oil and petroleum products to manage short-term disruptions.“The trilemma of energy availability, affordability and sustainability continues to guide India’s approach, focused on meeting the energy requirements of our citizens,” Puri told the media.

Adequate stocks, diversified sourcing

According to ANI, India holds about 25 days’ worth of crude oil and 25 days’ worth of petrol and diesel stocks, amounting to roughly eight weeks of total inventory. Only about 40 per cent of India’s crude imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz, while the remaining 60 per cent comes from other sources.Also read| India’s energy security exposure to Middle East: How much oil, LPG, LNG reserves do we have?Indian energy firms continue to import Russian crude under existing contracts, providing an additional buffer.Nearly 2.5–2.7 mbd of India’s crude imports transit the Strait of Hormuz, largely sourced from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait. With cargo movements from West Asia disrupted, Indian refiners have started exploring alternative sources.The ministry of petroleum and natural gas has set up a 24×7 control room to monitor fuel stocks and supply positions nationwide, and public sector oil marketing companies are maintaining adequate inventories.Government sources said India’s priorities remain uninterrupted fuel availability, protection of consumer interests and the well-being of nearly one crore Indians living and working in the Gulf region.

Kalyan: Shrikant Eknath Shinde, member of Parliament from Kalyan, on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting with officials of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, pushing for accelerated execution of ongoing Metro works and major extensions to improve connectivity across the fast-growing Thane district region.The meeting, held at MMRDA headquarters in Mumbai, was attended by commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, additional commissioner Ashwini Bhide, and other senior officials. A detailed review of transport infrastructure projects in the Kalyan parliamentary segment was undertaken, with emphasis on easing traffic congestion and strengthening inter-city connectivity between Kalyan, Dombivli, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, and Badlapur.

A key focus area was the expansion of Mumbai Metro Line 5 (Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan), which is currently under construction. Shinde proposed that the corridor be extended in multiple phases beyond its present alignment. He suggested that the proposed Line 5A run from Durgadi Naka via Kalyan, Ulhasnagar, and Ambernath up to the upcoming Chikhloli railway station.During the meeting, the MP demanded that the corridor be extended further from Chikhloli to Badlapur to ensure that residents of Badlapur also benefit from seamless Metro connectivity. He also proposed Line 5C from Durgadi to Titwala, stating that the extension would provide a viable alternative to overcrowded suburban rail services and help reduce vehicular congestion on arterial roads. Shinde claimed MMRDA officials responded positively and agreed to examine the feasibility of the proposed alignments.Shinde also reviewed progress on Mumbai Metro Line 12 (Kalyan-Taloja), where pillar erection and station construction are underway. He instructed MMRDA to accelerate the pace of work and prepare a proposal to extend the line from Shilphata via Mumbra and Kalwa, connecting it directly to Thane city. According to the MP, this extension would link several cities within Thane district and provide improved access to both Mumbai and Thane, while reducing dependence on congested roads and suburban railway networks.Further, he called for detailed planning and early execution of Mumbai Metro Line 14 (Kanjurmarg-Badlapur), which is expected to commence groundwork soon.One of the major highlights of the meeting was Shinde’s proposal to develop key stretches of Metro Lines 5, 12, and 14 as integrated double-decker corridors. The proposed model would incorporate a ground-level road, a flyover above it, and an elevated Metro viaduct at the top tier wherever feasible. He said the multi-layered design would optimise land use in densely populated areas and significantly enhance mobility.The review also covered the proposed access-controlled corridor aimed at directly connecting cities beyond Kalyan to Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Shinde recommended ensuring connectivity from both eastern and western parts of Badlapur, Ambernath, Ulhasnagar, Kalyan, and Dombivli to this corridor. He stressed the need to remove encroachments and widen the Badlapur-Katai road to improve traffic flow.On local infrastructure, the MP asked officials to expedite land acquisition for the Kalyan (East) U-type road project and suggested temporarily rehabilitating affected residents in nearby BSUP housing units. He also recommended implementing cluster redevelopment schemes to provide permanent housing and commercial units for eligible occupants.The Airoli-Katai Freeway tunnel at Katai Naka and pending land acquisition for Phase 3 were also reviewed, with directions issued for early completion.If implemented as proposed, the expanded Metro network and integrated double-decker corridors are expected to significantly transform mobility patterns across Kalyan and adjoining cities in Thane district, offering multi-layered connectivity and easing mounting traffic pressure in the rapidly urbanising region.