'Stop scapegoating players' - Mohammad Amir lambastes PCB over fine on players for underperformance

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir did not hold back in his criticism of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and chairman Mohsin Naqvi after reports emerged that the board plans to fine players following Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan’s campaign ended in disappointment, as they failed to secure a spot in the semifinals, bowing out in the Super 8 stage after failing to surpass New Zealand's net run rate despite a thrilling win over Sri Lanka. Following that, reports emerged that PCB imposed fines to the tune of PKR 50 lakh (around 16.4 lakh INR) on each squad member for the underwhelming performance.  

Amir, slamming the strange decision, has termed the PCB action a short-sighted solution, urging the board to rethink its approach towards accountability.

“If fines are the solution, apply them to everyone, from selectors to administration. Players weren’t forced at gunpoint,” Amir was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

Amir was blunt about where he thinks responsibility lies with selectors and the management rather than the players on the field.

“Hold selectors accountable for wrong combinations. Double the fine for them… Stop scapegoating players. This isn’t a real solution. Why do players have to suffer all the time?” he further added.

He also questioned penalising every player, even those with limited opportunities or good performances, citing the likes of Fakhar Zaman, who only played few matches and Sahibzada Farhan, who set a T20 World Cup run-scoring record.  

In Amir’s view, punishing players with fines won’t fix Pakistan cricket’s systemic problems. Instead, he proposed a more meaningful route of taking tough selection calls and an increased importance to domestic cricket.

“Fines aren’t the solution. Invest in domestic cricket. If you are angry with someone, don’t fine them; drop them and tell them to perform consistently for two years. The biggest punishment for a player is being left out of the team,” he concluded.