Pakistan in Panic Mode Ahead of Must-Win Clash Against Namibia; Major Changes Likely in Playing XI, Babar to Open

New Delhi: After suffering a disappointing defeat against India, Pakistan now finds itself on the brink of elimination from the T20 World Cup 2026. With qualification hopes hanging by a thread, Pakistan faces a do-or-die encounter against Namibia on February 18 at the SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo. A loss in this crucial match could end Pakistan’s World Cup campaign prematurely.

The pressure has clearly unsettled the Pakistan camp, and reports suggest that the team management is preparing for multiple changes in the playing XI in a desperate attempt to revive their tournament.

Key Players Likely to Be Dropped

According to a viral clip from a Pakistani sports show circulating on social media, former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik was seen questioning a Pakistan-based journalist in Sri Lanka about the team combination for the Namibia match.

The journalist claimed that Sahibzada Farhan, Abrar Ahmed, and Faheem Ashraf are likely to be dropped from the playing XI. Their possible replacements could include Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafe, and either Salman Mirza or Naseem Shah, depending on the final strategy.

If these changes go through, it would indicate that Pakistan is ready to take bold calls and sacrifice established names in an attempt to strengthen the squad for this high-pressure match.

Babar Azam Set to Open the Innings

One of the biggest developments is the possibility of Babar Azam opening the innings alongside young batter Saim Ayub. This move would mark a significant tactical shift, as Pakistan searches for stability and an aggressive start in the powerplay.

However, not everyone agrees with the reported changes.

Former Pakistan player Basit Ali, also present on the show, expressed doubts over Fakhar Zaman’s inclusion. He pointed out that Fakhar did not participate in the pre-match batting session, and traditionally in the Pakistan camp, players who do not take part in practice often do not make it into the final XI.

Basit Ali believes that Sahibzada Farhan might still retain his spot, while Fakhar could be left out.

Fakhar Zaman’s Poor Form a Major Concern

Even if Fakhar Zaman is selected, his recent performances raise questions. The experienced batter has been struggling for form for quite some time. In the T20 series against Australia, Fakhar managed only 20 runs in two matches, and prior to that, he scored just 5 runs in a T20 match against Sri Lanka.

With Pakistan already under immense pressure, including an out-of-form batter could be a risky decision.

High Stakes in Colombo

The upcoming clash against Namibia has become Pakistan’s biggest test so far in the tournament. A win is non-negotiable, and the team appears ready to shuffle its combination drastically to avoid an early exit.

All eyes will now be on Pakistan’s final playing XI announcement and whether captain Babar Azam can lead from the front in what could be a season-defining match.