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Pakistan T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha is reportedly on the brink of being named the national team’s all-format captain, following a wave of support from selectors, new white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, and the country’s cricket board.
According to sources close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the 31-year-old middle-order batter has left a strong impression on the decision-makers during his brief stint in charge.
Originally named captain for the T20I leg of the Zimbabwe tour in December 2024, a move aimed at giving Mohammad Rizwan some rest, Salman quickly won over the camp with his clear communication, composure, and tactical awareness.
“Salman [Ali Agha] has been impressive in the opinions of the selection committee, head coach Hesson, and most importantly, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi. All are on the same page that he should be the all-format captain,” the sources confirmed.
An official announcement is expected post-Eid, marking a significant shift in Pakistan’s leadership structure across formats.
The move, however, signals a decline in the leadership futures of both Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood.
Rizwan, currently leading the ODI setup, appears to have fallen out of favour with the PCB and the selection committee, which is strongly influenced by Aqib Javed.
Insiders point to Rizwan’s fractured relationship with Aqib, a tension that surfaced during the New Zealand tour earlier this year, as one of the reasons behind the shift.
Pakistan were whitewashed 3-0 in the ODI series during that tour, and Rizwan’s post-series remarks on his limited say in selection matters reportedly didn’t go down well with the PCB.
Meanwhile, Test skipper Shan Masood is also reportedly on borrowed time. Under his captaincy, Pakistan have endured a torrid run in the longest format, losing 9 of 12 Tests since December 2023.
The most damaging blow came in the form of a historic 2-0 home series defeat to Bangladesh.
The team’s struggles continued with a drawn series against a depleted West Indies side and a steady slide to the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
“Masood’s captaincy lacked spark, and his own performances didn’t help his cause. It was only a matter of time before changes were made. Salman will take over in Tests too,” added the sources.
The leadership transition comes ahead of a busy international schedule. Pakistan are set to play a three-match T20I series in Bangladesh on July 20, 22, and 24, followed by a white-ball tour of the West Indies in August featuring three ODIs and three T20Is.
In red-ball cricket, Pakistan are due to host South Africa for a two-Test series in October. The new WTC cycle (2025-2027) will see Pakistan welcome Sri Lanka and New Zealand at home, while they’re scheduled to tour Bangladesh, the West Indies, and England.
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