Pakistan’s T20I captaincy will remain in the hands of Salman Ali Agha, as the team management expresses confidence in his leadership ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
PCB insiders say the board is impressed with Salman’s ability to restore discipline, unity, and a winning mindset within the squad. His leadership has made a strong impression on the team’s decision-makers, cementing his position as the preferred captain for the upcoming mega event.
The 2026 T20 World Cup, scheduled for February and March, will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Despite earlier speculation about potential replacements such as Shadab Khan or Shaheen Shah Afridi, senior PCB officials have confirmed there are no plans to change the captaincy. A high-ranking official noted that under Salman, the team has regained focus and commitment, making a leadership change unnecessary.
Pakistan enjoyed a standout year in T20Is, recording 21 wins in 2025—the most by any full-member nation. Salman has captained 38 of his 40 T20I matches, scoring 671 runs at an average of 24.85. With 23 wins as captain, he is now Pakistan’s third-most successful T20I skipper, behind Babar Azam (48) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (29). His leadership includes a Tri-Nation Series title and a run to the Asia Cup final.
While his batting form has occasionally come under scrutiny, his recent unbeaten 63 against Sri Lanka in the tri-series strengthened his position as captain.
Meanwhile, Shadab Khan is set to return to the national squad for Pakistan’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The all-rounder, who last played in June against Bangladesh, has recovered from shoulder surgery in London and trained extensively at the NCA in Lahore. He is expected to prove his fitness during the Big Bash League, which begins on December 14.