January 16, 2026
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Published by Aeyan Raza
December 4, 2025
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has indicated strong support for Salman Ali Agha to continue as captain of the national T20 team ahead of the T20 World Cup, scheduled in India and Sri Lanka from February to March.
This decision ends weeks of speculation about the team’s leadership, which saw debates over potential changes. Names like Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi were mentioned as possible replacements, but a senior PCB official confirmed that Salman remains the preferred choice to lead Pakistan on the global stage.
Salman Ali Agha has been widely credited with rebuilding team morale and on-field discipline. His captaincy is said to have restored Pakistan’s fighting spirit, strengthened unity within the squad, and brought consistency in performances, easing the need for a leadership change before a major tournament.
The T20 side has been impressive this year, recording 21 wins, the highest among all full-member nations. Under Salman’s leadership, Pakistan won a Tri-Nation Series and reached the Asia Cup final, showcasing his ability to guide the team in high-pressure situations.
Salman has captained 38 of his 40 T20Is, scoring 671 runs at an average of 24.85. With 23 wins, he is Pakistan’s third-most successful T20I captain, trailing only Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed. Despite occasional criticism of his batting, his unbeaten 63 against Sri Lanka in the recent Tri-Nation Series silenced doubts over his form.
Meanwhile, Shadab Khan is set to rejoin the squad for the Sri Lanka tour as a regular player. Shadab last played for Pakistan in June during the Bangladesh series. After shoulder surgery in London, he has completed rehabilitation and resumed intensive training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.
Selectors are closely monitoring his fitness and form, which will be further tested during the Big Bash League (BBL) starting December 14. Players selected for the BBL will travel next week, returning in time for the Sri Lanka series.
By confirming Salman as captain, the PCB aims to maintain stability and continuity in the T20 setup. His leadership, combined with returning players like Shadab Khan, is expected to provide Pakistan with a balanced and experienced squad ahead of the high-stakes World Cup.
