Who is Pakistan’s New T20 Captain?

The race to be Pakistan’s next T20 captain may not be as cut and dry as it once was, with Rashid Latif suggesting a late twist in the story. In a surprising turn of events, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to appoint Salman Ali Agha as the new T20 captain for the upcoming New Zealand tour. This development comes as a blow to Shadab Khan, who was considered the front-runner for the role.

Shadab Khan was reportedly set to take charge of the T20 squad for the tour, but the PCB appears to have re-evaluated its decision to avoid any negative feedback from the public and the experts. The 26-year-old has not been part of the national team since June 2024, and his direct accession to captaincy may have ruffled some feathers within the team.

Salman Ali Agha, meanwhile, already serves as the vice-captain of the ODI team and has impressed with his recent all-round abilities in the international arena. He has already led the team in four T20Is and boasts a 2-2 record. The challenge against New Zealand will be his first real test of leadership against a strong opposition, following matches against a depleted Australia side and Zimbabwe.

Despite missing out on the leadership duties, Shadab Khan is expected to find a place in the team when the squad is announced today. The entire touring party is set to feature younger talent as Pakistan looks to build a competitive contender for the T20 World Cup next year.

As the New Zealand tour approaches, all eyes will be on the PCB’s official announcement, with fans eager to see how this change in leadership will affect the team’s performance in the crucial T20 series, which will mark a new chapter in Pakistan’s T20 cricket journey.