J.Just two months after the Asia Cup, Pakistan cricket faced heavy criticism of Salman Ali Agha, who was accused of contributing to the team’s disappointing performances. During this tournament, Agha’s captaincy and slow batting attracted the attention of fans and critics.
During the 2025 Asia Cup, Salman Ali Agha came under scrutiny for both his leadership and batting style. Critics highlighted his inability to inspire the team and lead decisively in crucial moments. His slow scoring and conservative approach failed to provide the spark Pakistan needed when the match was on the line.
In the seven Asia Cup matches, he managed only 72 runs, with a high score of 20 and an average of 12. His strike rate of 80.89 was heavily criticized. In seven matches, he hit only four fours and one six.
Pakistan’s dismal run against arch-rivals India in the 2025 Asia Cup is said to have prompted a major change in direction in the domestic T20 setup.
The defeats – in the Group A match on September 14, the Super Fours on September 21 and the final on September 28 – proved too damaging for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to ignore.
The final meeting was particularly humiliating for the Men in Green. From a strong position at 113 for 1, Pakistan collapsed spectacularly to 146 all out, losing nine wickets for just 33 runs.
In summary, the Asia Cup revealed three main weaknesses: Agha’s understated batting contributions, leadership lapses during high-pressure phases, and selection/tactical decisions that drew widespread criticism.
Unless these aspects are addressed, questions about his suitability as captain and as a middle-order batter will linger.
According to media reports, after a pathetic performance in the tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering replacing Salman Agha with all-rounder Shadab Khan as the national T20I captain, but it is yet to be decided.
All-rounder Shadab Khan was also set to step in after recovering from shoulder surgery. The move can be seen as part of a broader strategy to revamp the T20 setup ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
Shadab brings significant experience to this role, having played 112 T20Is and led teams in several global franchise leagues. Known for his adaptability and intelligence in cricket, Shadab’s dual role as a leg-spinner and lower-order hitter provides balance to a T20 team struggling with consistency and combinations.
The change in leadership underscores the urgency within the CCP to initiate a reset. With the T20 World Cup less than a year away, we can hope for new leadership under Shadab Khan who can restore the tactical clarity, confidence and competitiveness of the national team.
Pakistan’s next phase will be closely watched as they look to redeem and rebuild after a humiliating Asia Cup campaign – one that exposed tactical deficiencies, mental fragility and an inability to handle pressure against their fiercest rivals.
But after the Asia Cup disaster, Salman Ali Agha suddenly became one of the most reliable batsmen in Tests and one-day internationals in the current Pakistan team.
In the two home Test series against South Africa, Salman was the top scorer in the series with 170 runs, at an average of 42.50.
In the One Day Internationals series too, Salman Ali Agha remains the most successful batsman with 136 runs in three matches with the help of two fifties and a good average of 68.
Even in the first one-day international tour against Sri Lanka, Agha received the man of the match award for his match-winning knock of 103, not out off 87 deliveries.
Experts believe that in the evolving set-up of Pakistan cricket, Salman Ali Agha has quietly established himself as a reliable middle-order batsman, especially in the longer formats. Although his overall abilities have often been tested across formats, statistics suggest that Salman’s game is far better suited to the patient demands of Tests and the tactical pace of ODIs rather than the explosive pace of T20 cricket.
Since his Test debut in 2022, Salman has scored over 1487 runs in 23 matches at an average of just over 39, including three centuries and 10 fifties. His ability to build innings under pressure and alternate strikes effectively has provided much-needed balance to Pakistan’s middle order. Additionally, his off-spin yielded 20 wickets, adding depth to the team’s bowling options, something invaluable in Test conditions.
In ODIs, Salman has been consistent if not spectacular, amassing around 1357 runs in 45 matches at an average of 45.23 with a strike rate above 95. His adaptable approach allows him to anchor the innings or accelerate when necessary, a skill well suited to the evolving nature of 50-over cricket.
However, his T20 record tells a different story. In 35 T20 internationals, Salman has scored just 596 runs at an average below 23 and a modest strike rate of around 110, indicating that he is struggling to find rhythm in the power hitting format. His bowling has also been less effective due to the aggressive intent of the T20 batters.
These numbers underline that Salman Ali Agha’s temperament, technique and maturity make him a valuable asset in Tests and ODIs, where calculated shots and patience predominate. For Pakistan, their stability in the long format outweighs the need to force them into T20s – a format that simply does not play to their strengths.
Salman Ali Agha’s performance indicates that he is more effective in ODIs and Test matches than in T20s. His batting technique, strategic thinking and adaptability suit longer game formats, allowing him to contribute more significantly to the team’s success.
Removing him from the T20 squad could allow the Pakistan Cricket Board to optimize its team composition by including players better suited to the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket. This strategic move would not only maximize Agha’s strengths, but also strengthen the team’s overall performance across all formats, by aligning player skills with format-specific requirements.
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