After ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Exit, Pakistan Likely to Sack Salman Ali Agha as Captain

After the team was knocked out in the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, the Pakistan Cricket Board is planning to remove Salman Ali Agha as Pakistan’s T20I captain. The PCB is now considering a change in leadership. Having taken the reins from Mohammad Rizwan in March 2025, Agha has done well. He boasts a 31-18 record. However, Agha hasn’t been able to win trophies, losing the Asia Cup 2025 and now the T20 World Cup. This is enough for PCB. They are willing to change things up.

Although Salman Ali Agha has warned against making emotional decisions, things often work this way in Pakistan cricket. He probably should not have been made captain last year, but removing him now also may not be the right move.

However, that is likely to happen, especially after the Pakistan Cricket Board fined every player in Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 ₹16.30 lakh for poor performance. Reports suggest Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi are front-runners to replace Agha. But former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi is against them both, especially Shadab.

PCB Plans Captaincy Change After T20 World Cup Exit

He doesn’t think the all-rounder should even be playing for Pakistan, let alone leading the team. But Shahid thinks head coach Mike Hesson has a great relationship with Shadab, which could work in his favour.

“Looking at his performance, I wouldn’t even keep him in the team, let alone give him the captaincy. If Mike Hesson stays on as the coach, he was also there at Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League. He became Pakistan’s coach after his stint in the PSL. From there, his association with Shadab started. The head coach is giving Shadab chance after chance. That’s why I said Shadab can become the next Pakistan captain. But looking at his recent performance, he doesn’t even deserve a place in the playing XI,” Shahid told Samaa TV.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha believes Fakhar Zaman could be the right choice to replace him as Pakistan’s T20I captain. Although the 35-year-old does not have much leadership experience, he is currently seen as the only strong option for the role. 

“Looking at the current situation, I would go with Fakhar Zaman. I want an aggressive captain. Right now, only one player fits the bill, and that is Fakhar,” Shahid added.

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by Dwijesh February 27, 2026