The Pakistan cricket team may have secured their spot in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, but the celebrations are being overshadowed by signs of internal friction. During their must-win Group A clash against Namibia in Colombo, a viral video captured a tense, animated discussion between captain Salman Agha and head coach Mike Hesson, leaving fans questioning the stability of the team's leadership.
The incident occurred shortly after Salman Agha was dismissed for a brisk 38 off 23 balls. As he returned to the dugout, cameras caught him in a heated exchange with Hesson. In a moment of visible frustration, Agha was seen throwing a water bottle to the ground while gesturing emphatically.
Babar Azam Caught in the Middle
Perhaps more telling than the argument itself was the reaction—or lack thereof—from former captain Babar Azam. Seated directly between the sparring captain and coach, Babar appeared visibly uncomfortable, staring straight ahead and remaining silent throughout the ordeal.
This "awkward" positioning comes amid a tactical reshuffle that saw Babar demoted from his usual No. 4 spot against Namibia. With star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi also dropped for the fixture, rumors are swirling that the Pakistan cricket team is undergoing a silent but turbulent power shift behind the scenes.
On-Field Success Amidst Off-Field Drama
Despite the dugout fireworks, Pakistan delivered a clinical performance on the pitch. Driven by a historic maiden T20I century from Sahibzada Farhan (100 off 58), the Men in Green posted a massive 199/3.
The bowlers then took over, with Usman Tariq (4/16) and Shadab Khan (3/19) dismantling the Namibian lineup for just 97 runs. This 102-run victory officially made Pakistan the final team to join the Super 8s, where they are set to face:
-
New Zealand
-
England
-
Sri Lanka
Shadab Khan Fires Back at Critics
The tension isn't limited to the dugout. Following the team's crushing 61-run loss to India earlier in the week, several Pakistani legends called for a complete overhaul of the squad. All-rounder Shadab Khan addressed these critiques head-on after the Namibia win.
"Everyone has their own opinions. Since I came back, one bad over led to a lot of criticism, but I don't need to justify that," Shadab stated.
He further took a subtle swipe at former greats by reminding them that the current crop of players achieved a feat many "legends" never could: defeating India in a World Cup (referencing the 2021 victory).
Why This Matters Now
For a team known for "unpredictability," the current friction between Salman Agha and Mike Hesson comes at a dangerous time. While the win against Namibia keeps their title hopes alive, history shows that internal rifts often lead to collapses in the high-pressure environment of the Super 8s.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
