Shadab Khan is likely to take over Pakistan’s T20I captaincy from Salman Ali Agha

Experienced all-rounder Shadab Khan has emerged as the frontrunner to take over the Pakistan T20 captaincy from Salman Ali Agha, who faces the ax from the team for the shortest format.

Information gathered from insiders at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday suggested that there have been major changes to Pakistan’s T20 squad ahead of the home series against Sri Lanka starting on October 9.

“Shadab Khan is the front-runner to be named T20 captain, while Sahibzada Farhan is a close second. If Shadab gets the responsibility, Farhan will be his vice-captain,” informed the insider.

Shadab has led the national T20 team as a substitute in the past, while Farhan is currently in Japan for the Asian Games, leading Pakistan.

Shadab, 27, who has appeared in 124 T20Is, 73 ODIs and 6 Tests, has the backing of head coach Mike Hesson, who wants him to lead the team to the 2028 T20 World Cup.

“Hesson has also shortlisted Shadab and Farhan for the captaincy role which will no longer be with Agha. Agha, who has led Pakistan in the T20 format since March 2025, but his recent loss of form and his disappointing performance in the Test series in England clearly make him a liability for both the Test and T20 teams.

But it will remain part of the ODI setup. Sources said that Babar Azam will get another chance to make his mark in the T20 team but remains a certainty for the Test and ODI squads.

“There will be changes in the white-ball line-ups as a number of young players will be given priority over seniors and fast bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf are also out of the question for the Sri Lanka series,” he added.

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