Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly making a significant change at the helm of its T20I squad, planning to replace captain Salman Ali Agha with seasoned all-rounder Shadab Khan. This move comes on the heels of Pakistan’s disheartening performance in the Asia Cup 2025, where they suffered three consecutive defeats to arch-rivals India. The leadership change is envisioned as a strategic overhaul, aiming to reset the team’s trajectory ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Shadab Khan is expected to assume captaincy duties once he fully recovers from a shoulder surgery scheduled for next month.
Pakistan’s dismal run in the Asia Cup 2025, specifically their inability to overcome India, was the primary catalyst for this decision. They lost all three encounters against their formidable rivals within a mere 15-day period. These painful defeats included a Group A match on September 14, a Super Fours fixture on September 21, and most significantly, the tournament final on September 28.
The Asia Cup final was a particularly crushing blow for Pakistan. After a promising start, reaching 113 for one, the team experienced a spectacular collapse, losing nine wickets for only 33 runs and being bowled out for a meager 146. Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav was instrumental in this downfall, bagging four wickets for just 30 runs.
India successfully chased the target in a nail-biting finish, with young talent Tilak Varma scoring a crucial 69 runs to guide his team to a two-wicket victory. This win cemented India’s ninth Asia Cup title, further highlighting Pakistan’s recent struggles.
Salman Ali Agha’s individual performance also came under scrutiny, as he managed a meager 72 runs across seven matches at a strike rate of 80.90 and an average of just 12. His captaincy decisions throughout the tournament drew significant criticism, and the repeated defeats to India only amplified the calls for a change in leadership.
The choice of Shadab Khan as the incoming captain is largely due to his extensive international experience. Having played in 112 T20 Internationals, Shadab has also served as vice-captain previously and boasts leadership experience across various global cricket leagues.
As a leg-spinning all-rounder, Shadab Khan offers crucial versatility to the captaincy role. His dual ability to contribute effectively as a middle-over spinner and a dynamic lower-order batsman is expected to provide much-needed tactical flexibility for a team that has been striving to find a winning combination.
This shift in leadership underscores the Pakistan Cricket Board’s commitment to strategic rebuilding and a renewed focus on enhancing team performance, particularly against strong contenders. The timing is critical as Pakistan begins its preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup.