The Pakistan cricket team’s captaincy change merry-go-round continues. After a Super 8 exit from the T20 World Cup 2026, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking to sack Salman Ali Agha as the T20I captain.
Having taken the reins from Mohammad Rizwan in March 2025, Agha has done well. He boasts a 31-18 record. However, Agha hasn’t been able to win trophies, losing the Asia Cup 2025 and now the T20 World Cup. This is enough for PCB. They are willing to change things up.
Although Agha has cautioned against taking ’emotional decisions’, Pakistan Cricket always works like this. Just like he shouldn’t have been named captain last year, he shouldn’t be removed now. But that’s probably what’ll happen, especially considering how the PCB has fined every player INR 16.30 lakh who was part of Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup for poor performance.
Who should replace Salman Ali Agha?
Reports suggest Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi are front-runners to replace Agha. But former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi is against them both, especially Shadab. He doesn’t think the all-rounder should even be playing for Pakistan, let alone leading the team. But Shahid thinks head coach Mike Hesson has a great relationship with Shadab, which could work in his favour.
“Looking at his performance, I wouldn’t even keep him in the team, let alone give him the captaincy. If Mike Hesson stays on as the coach, he was also there at Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League. He became Pakistan’s coach after his stint in the PSL. From there, his association with Shadab started. The head coach is giving Shadab chance after chance. That’s why I said Shadab can become the next Pakistan captain. But looking at his recent performance, he doesn’t even deserve a place in the playing XI,” Shahid told Samaa TV.
The former Pakistan captain believes that Fakhar Zaman could be the perfect candidate to take over from Agha as T20I skipper. Although the 35-year-old doesn’t have much experience when it comes to leadership, at the moment, he’s the only viable option.
“Looking at the current situation, I would go with Fakhar Zaman. I want an aggressive captain. Right now, only one player fits the bill, and that is Fakhar,” Shahid added.
Pakistan T20I captains since 2024
| Period | Captain |
|---|---|
| November 2023 to March 2024 | Shaheen Shah Afridi |
| March 2024 to October 2024 | Babar Azam |
| October 2025 to March 2025 | Mohammad Rizwan |
| March 2025- | Salman Ali Agha |
