Pakistan captain Salman Agha (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) The Pakistan Cricket Board will replace Salman Ali Agha as T20I captain with all-rounder Shadab Khan following Pakistan’s three consecutive losses to India in the 2025 Asia Cup. According to PTI, the decision comes as part of a strategic reset ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka, with he expects the change to be made following Shadab’s shoulder surgery next month.The decision was prompted by Pakistan’s poor performance against India during the 2025 Asia Cup, losing all three encounters against their arch-rivals in a span of 15 days. The defeats came in the Group A clash on 14 September, the Super Four on 21 September and the final on 28 September.The Asia Cup final was particularly devastating for Pakistan. Despite a good start, 113 for one, the team suffered a dramatic collapse, losing nine wickets in just 33 overs and being bowled out for 146. India’s Kuldeep Yadav was instrumental in the collapse, taking four wickets in 30 overs.India managed to chase down the target in a tense finish with Tilak Varma scoring 69 runs to lead his team to a two-wicket victory. The win secured India’s ninth Asia Cup title.Agha Salman’s personal performance in the tournament was remarkably poor, scoring only 72 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 80.90 and an average of just 12. His captaincy decision faced criticism throughout the tournament and subsequent losses to India further reinforced the need for a change.The selection of Shadab Khan as the new captain is based on his extensive experience in international cricket. He has represented Pakistan in 112 T20Is and previously served as vice-captain. His experience spans leadership roles in various cricket leagues around the world.Shadab Khan brings valuable skills to the captain’s role as an all-rounder. His ability to contribute as both a middle-order batsman and a lower-order batsman provides tactical advantages for a team struggling to find the right combination.The change in management reflects the Pakistan Cricket Board’s focus on revamping the team’s strategy and improving their performance against strong opponents. The decision comes at a crucial time as Pakistan prepares for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
