The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) isn’t pleased with the Pakistan cricket team’s performance at the T20 World Cup 2026. The PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, had given carte blanche to the selection and Mike Hesson-led team management after they promised guaranteed results.
PCB unhappy with Pakistan management
However, Pakistan is on the verge of being knocked out after the Super 8 stage. Even if they beat Sri Lanka, semifinal qualification isn’t certain. The current management has been given a nearly 2-year-long rope, but the results aren’t what the PCB hopes for.
“Naqvi is not happy at all because this time he was assured by the selectors, team management, and his close aides in the board that the team was set to do well in the World Cup,” a source told PTI.
End of Salman Ali Agha’s captaincy
Naqvi wants to do away with several players. This includes captain Salman Ali Agha, their highest-ever scorer Babar Azam, wicketkeeper Usman Khan, and other senior players whose performance hasn’t been adequate.
After the T20 World Cup, Naqvi will hold talks with Hesson and selectors regarding the future of these players. He wants to bring in youngsters who play the modern, fearless brand of cricket.
“Salman, Babar Azam, Usman Khan, and a few others will probably see curtains on their T20 international careers after the World Cup. So, after the World Cup, you can expect major changes in the Pakistan T20 set-up,” the source added.
At the moment, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi are emerging as the top candidates to replace Agha. Both have captained Pakistan before: Shahab for 6 matches from 2020 to 2023, and Shaheen for 5 matches in 2024.
Fascinatingly, both were either unselected or dropped in the last 12 months, but after Agha’s failures as a batter and captain, the PCB thinks they are best suited to take over.
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