While Pakistan managed to stay alive in the T20 World Cup 2026 with a win over Namibia, all eyes were on a shocking incident inside the dugout. Cameras
captured a very tense moment between captain Salman Ali Agha and head coach Mike Hesson, suggesting that everything might not be well behind the scenes.
Following a humiliating 61-run defeat to arch-rivals India just days earlier, the pressure on the Pakistan team was at an all-time high. During the must-win match against Namibia in Colombo, the frustration finally boiled over.
The Incident: What Happened in Pakistan Camp?
After being dismissed for a quick-fire 38 off 23 balls, captain Salman Agha returned to the dugout. TV cameras soon picked up an animated and seemingly angry conversation between him and coach Mike Hesson, as he tried to explain something, Agha appeared visibly upset. In a moment of pure frustration, the captain banged a water bottle on the ground (some reports say he threw it). The coach looked stunned and taken aback by the captain's aggressive reaction.
Perhaps the most "viral" part of the clip was former captain Babar Azam. Sitting right next to the duo, Babar was caught in the crossfire. He chose to remain completely silent, looking "sheepish" and awkward as his captain and coach argued right in front of him.
Babar himself had a difficult day, as he was demoted in the batting order, not coming out at his usual No. 4 spot. This tactical shift, combined with the dropping of star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for the match, suggests major changes are happening within the team management.
A Win Amidst the Chaos
Despite the internal fireworks, Pakistan performed well on the field. Sahibzada Farhan smashed a brilliant maiden T20I century (100* off 58 balls), helping Pakistan post a massive 199/3. They eventually won by 102 runs, securing their spot in the Super 8s.
However, for fans and experts, the victory has been overshadowed by the visible rift between the leader of the team and the coaching staff. With the tougher stages of the tournament ahead, the Pakistan camp will need to find a way to cool down the tempers in the dressing room.
