Salman Agha is all set to become Pakistan's all-format national cricket team captain after impressing selectors and newly appointed white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, sources told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net).
The 31-year-old was named Twenty20 International captain for the Zimbabwe leg of the current tour, as regular skipper Mohammad Rizwan was given a rest. However, Salman has made a strong impression in a short span with his clarity of thought and leadership resolve.
Salman has impressed the selection committee, new head coach Hesson, and, above all, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. All are on the same page in their belief that he should be the all-format captain.
An official announcement is expected after the Eid holidays, likely within the coming week. The decision signals that current ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan has lost favour with both the PCB and the selection committee, where Aaqib Javed is said to hold significant influence.
Rizwan’s strained relationship with Aaqib dates back to the recent New Zealand tour, during which Pakistan lost the ODI series. Rizwan had publicly criticised the lack of authority afforded to team leaders in selection matters on that tour.
Pakistan lost that ODI series in New Zealand 3-0, a defeat that followed a disastrous Champions Trophy campaign, where the team crashed out in the first round.
Test captain Shan Masood is also reportedly set to be removed after a string of poor performances under his leadership. Since December 2023, Pakistan have lost nine out of 12 Test matches under Masood’s captaincy.
His lowest point came with a 2-0 home series defeat to Bangladesh — Pakistan’s first-ever Test series loss to the lower-ranked side. They also drew a comparatively easier series against the West Indies 1-1 last year.
That home defeat dropped Pakistan to ninth and last place in the World Test Championship’s third cycle. They had finished fifth and seventh in the first two WTC cycles.
Masood’s captaincy lacked spark and aggression. He was destined to lose the role. Moreover, his individual performances were poor, so Salman will also take over the red-ball responsibilities.
Pakistan’s upcoming assignment is a three-match T20I series in Bangladesh, scheduled for July 20, 22, and 24. This will be followed by five T20Is against the West Indies, split between the United States and the Caribbean.
On the Test front, Pakistan are set to host South Africa for a two-match series in October. During the 2025–2027 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, they will also host Sri Lanka and New Zealand, while their away tours include series in Bangladesh, the West Indies, and England.
