Pakistan cricket 'not destroyed' by T20 World Cup exit: Aaqib Javed

Karachi—Pakistan national selector Aaqib Javed has rejected suggestions that the country’s cricket structure is in ruins after the team’s failure to reach the semifinals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, insisting the setback is “serious but not catastrophic.”

Pakistan’s campaign ended in frustration when a final-over victory over Sri Lanka in the Super Eight proved insufficient to overhaul New Zealand’s superior net run-rate, allowing England and the Black Caps to advance from the group.

The Green Shirts’ hopes had already been dented by an opening 61-run defeat to arch-rivals India, a loss that left them scrambling to repair a damaged run-rate for the remainder of the tournament. Although they closed with a tense win over Sri Lanka, the required margin to leapfrog New Zealand never materialised.

Addressing reporters after the squad’s departure from the tournament, Aaqib conceded the early exit hurts but argued it should not be interpreted as evidence of systemic failure.

“It’s a big issue, but not so big that our cricket is destroyed,” he said. “Pakistan got eliminated due to net run-rate; the team was capable enough to play the semifinal of the T20 World Cup.”

Before the event, the selector had publicly pledged to accept responsibility if results went awry. On Monday he reaffirmed that promise, stating that the team management and selection panel will “review the campaign and learn from the mistakes.”

With the side now heading home, attention turns to an inquest into selection decisions, batting collapses and fielding lapses that ultimately cost Pakistan a place in the final four. Yet Aaqib’s message was clear: while disappointment is warranted, despair is not.

Pakistan cricket, he insists, remains very much alive.