The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly planning to remove Salman Ali Agha from T20I captaincy after Pakistan's pathetic performance in Asia Cup 2025. The Men in Green suffered three consecutive defeats against India in just a span of 15 days. According to PTI, all-rounder Shadab Khan is the front-runner for captaincy which is also a strategic reset ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup.
Pakistan's Asia Cup campaign gathered huge criticism particularly after their losses against India - in the group stage (Sept 14), Super Fours (Sept 21), and the final (Sept 28). The final defeat was more disturbing. Having been well-placed at 113/1, Pakistan slipped to 146 all out, losing as many as nine wickets for a mere 33 runs. India's Kuldeep Yadav delivered a match-winning spell of 4 for 30.
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India also chased the target with Tilak Varma hitting an important 69 to ensure a two-wicket victory and India's ninth Asia Cup title.
Agha's individual performance during the tournament was disappointing. He scored just 72 runs from seven matches at an average of 12 and a strike rate of less than 81. His captaincy calls too were questioned extensively.
Conversely, there is leadership acumen and strategic knowledge in Shadab Khan. Having played 112 T20Is and already having been vice-captain earlier, Shadab has all-round potential and the experience to take over the job. Sidelined for the moment due to shoulder surgery, he should return next month and resume captaincy once he regains fitness.
The PCB sees the transformation as a must to revitalize the side for a crunch World Cup campaign in 2026.