The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was the scene of a thrilling match on February 24, 2026, as England defeated Pakistan by two wickets in the 45th match of the T20 World Cup Super Eights. A remarkable century off 51 balls from Harry Brook propelled England into the semifinals, while Pakistan faced serious challenges after the loss. A heated exchange between former captain Mohammad Hafeez and spin legend Saqlain Mushtaq during a post-match analysis has gained significant attention, highlighting divisions in the team’s tactical approach and the roles of key all-rounders.
Mohammad Hafeez strongly addresses Saqlain Mushtaq after the defeat to England
With Pakistan at risk of elimination, the post-match discussion on a major TV channel turned contentious. The main issue revolved around the performances of Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan. Hafeez, known for his direct style, questioned whether these players earned their spots based on skill or other factors, specifically asking about Shadab’s role. “Is he a bowling all-rounder or a batting all-rounder?” Hafeez challenged.
Mushtaq, who has experience coaching the national team and is Shadab’s father-in-law, defended both players, stating they are equally competent in batting and bowling. “Look, he is a bit of both,” Saqlain responded.
Nevertheless, Hafeez countered with a personal story: “I played for Pakistan as an all-rounder. My main responsibility was to bat. If I’m not scoring, I don’t need to bowl. My captain used to say that if I don’t perform with the bat, my bowling isn’t needed. Nawaz’s main job is bowling—if he can’t do that, he isn’t required.”
Many critics have interpreted Hafeez’s comments as a pointed criticism of Shadab’s declining form. This is not their first disagreement; a similar confrontation happened after Pakistan’s recent loss to India, where Hafeez criticized the senior players while Mushtaq blamed the support team.
Here’s the video:
