Salman Ali Agha Tipped to Lead Pakistan in All Formats

Speculation is rife that all-rounder Salman Ali Agha may soon be appointed as Pakistan’s captain across all formats. However, former fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed has voiced strong disapproval of this potential decision.

Tanvir took to X to question the rationale behind the possible move, pointing out a perceived conflict of interest. He noted that the national team’s head coach is already associated with the Islamabad United franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“When the head coach is from Islamabad United, what’s so shocking about the captain being from there too?” Tanvir commented, implying a bias in the selection process.

He further questioned the selection of a T20 captain possessing a strike rate of 127, suggesting that players exhibiting greater explosiveness and higher strike rates should have been considered. He asked, “Why not appoint the higher-impact player instead?”

Conversely, sources suggest that Salman Ali Agha is expected to be named the all-format captain for the national cricket team. Reportedly, he has impressed both selectors and the new white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson.

Agha, 31, previously captained the T20I side for the Zimbabwe leg of their tour, providing rest for regular captain Mohammad Rizwan.

Pakistan’s near-term schedule features a three-match T20I series in Bangladesh commencing on July 20, followed by both ODI and T20I series against the West Indies in August. Furthermore, Pakistan will host South Africa for a two-Test series in October. For the WTC cycle spanning 2025-2027, Pakistan is slated to host Sri Lanka and New Zealand, in addition to touring Bangladesh, the West Indies, and England.