Following Pakistan's elimination from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has launched a scathing critique of the team's management. In his statements on a PTI Sports show, Akhtar emphasized that it was not the net run rate but rather poor decisions made by the management that led to Pakistan's downfall. He described the current management setup as directionless and called for accountability for the team's performance.

During a crucial match against Sri Lanka, Pakistan set a high score of 212/8 and won the game. However, this victory did not provide the necessary margin to improve their net run rate significantly to outpace New Zealand in Group 2 standings. Sri Lanka’s captain Dasun Shanaka scored an impressive unbeaten 76 runs, contributing to his team's strong performance, while the Pakistani squad's efforts fell short of securing a semifinal berth.

Akhtar's comments reflect broader concerns within the cricketing community regarding Pakistan's strategy and decision-making processes. With England and New Zealand advancing to the semifinals from Group 2, the implications of Pakistan's early exit may lead to significant discussions about the future of the team's management and their approach to international tournaments.