Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will likely to sack Salman Ali Agha from the team's T20I captaincy after Pakistan's three losses to India in the Asia Cup 2025. Star all-rounder Shadab Khan will be announced his sucessor to lead Pakistan in the shortest format of the game.
PTI reported that the decision comes as part of a strategic reset ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka, with the change expected to be implemented once Shadab recovers from shoulder surgery next month. Before his surgery, he was a vice-captain in the format.
Shadab Khan's international career
Shadab, who represented Pakistan in 70 ODIs and 112 T20Is, last played a home series against Bangladesh in early June before having his shoulder injury. He already captained Pakistan in T20 cricket and also has vast captaincy experience in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and domestic cricket.
PTI also reported that the PCB is fully behind Salman Ali Agha but a reliable source said that they are looking at Shadab as the long-term captain in the T20 format, as there has been a lot of talk after the Asia Cup on whether Salman justifies a place in the T20 format as a player.
When did Shadab Khan make a comeback?
The report further stated that Shadab would return to action in the bilateral home series against Sri Lanka between November 11 and 15 as his rehab is going well.
Since doubts exist over whether the PCB would be able to host the planned tri-series with Afghanistan and Sri Lanka from November 19, the source said it is certain the national selectors will want to test out Shadab in the Sri Lanka series.
"He is is planning to also play a domestic four-day game in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy before the Sri Lanka series," the source said.
India and Pakistan's outings in the Asia Cup 2025
India and Pakistan were part of the same group in the Asia Cup 2025, and they faced each other three times in the mega event. One in the Group Stage, second in the Super Four and third was the title decider. India defeated Pakistan by seven, six and five wickets respectively to win the title.