‘Mujhe sirf ye bataiye…’: Watch Hafeez fighting with Saqlain Mushtaq over son-in-law Shadab Khan’s place in Pakistan T20 World Cup team

A sharp on-air exchange between former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez and spin legend Saqlain Mushtaq has gone viral, after the duo clashed over all-rounder Shadab Khan and his role in the Pakistan side following the team’s heavy loss to India in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The flashpoint came during a post-match TV debate, where Hafeez bluntly questioned Shadab’s continued selection and demanded clarity on his role, putting Saqlain, Shadab’s father-in-law, in an uncomfortable spot.

Hafeez-Saqlain Mushtaq Viral moment fight: “Mujhe sirf ye bata dijiye…”

The clip that has caught fans’ attention shows Hafeez leaning forward and asking, “Mujhe sirf ye bata dijiye...” before directly questioning Shadab’s presence in the XI.

“Why is he even in the team? What exactly is his priority here – batting, bowling, or just warming the bench while the side crumbles?” Hafeez said during the show.


The exchange took place days after Pakistan’s defeat to India in Colombo, where Shadab struggled to contain runs at a crucial stage of the match.

Saqlain’s defence and Hafeez’s counter

Saqlain Mushtaq responded by urging patience and respect, pointing to frequent changes in support staff and the need to back players through tough phases.

He argued that players need time to settle and that constant changes can harm confidence and performance.

Hafeez, however, pushed back strongly.

“Six different managements have come and gone, but the same set of players keep failing to deliver,” he said. “These boys have played over a hundred T20s each. They know their roles. The problem isn’t clarity – it’s execution. Let’s stop making excuses and call a spade a spade.”

A deeper debate on merit vs relationships

The debate quickly shifted from tactics to a wider issue that has followed Pakistan cricket for years, questions around selection and perceived favouritism.

Shadab’s relationship with Saqlain has often been discussed by fans, with some critics calling it “parchi” culture, a slang term used for favour-based selection.

During the discussion, Hafeez also questioned bowling changes and field placements in the India match, saying poor tactics in the early overs allowed India to take control.

Saqlain responded by pointing to Hafeez’s own coaching record, turning the discussion personal for a brief moment.

Why the clip struck a chord with fans

The viral spread of the video across social media reflects the frustration among Pakistan supporters after another high-profile defeat to India.

Many viewers online echoed Hafeez’s point that experienced players must be held accountable regardless of personal ties.

At the same time, the public nature of the disagreement has added to the perception of internal divisions within Pakistan cricket.