Mohammad Rizwan Faces Uncertainty as Salman Ali Agha
Salman Ali Agha's appointment as all-format captain is expected to bring a new era of leadership to Pakistan cricket, with a focus on long-term squad development and domestic cricket reforms. The oversight committee will play a key role in monitoring selection decisions and recommending reforms, as the team prepares for major tournaments in 2026 and 2027.
Pakistan's T20I captain Salman Ali Agha is likely to become the national team's all-format captain, signaling a decline in the leadership futures of Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood. Agha, 31, has impressed selectors and the PCB with his leadership skills during his brief stint as T20I captain. The move comes ahead of a busy international schedule, including a three-match T20I series in Bangladesh and a two-Test series against South Africa.
The leadership transition is expected to be officially announced post-Eid, with Agha set to take over as captain in all formats, including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Rizwan has fallen out of favour with the PCB and selection committee, while Masood's captaincy has been criticized for lacking spark and his own performances have not helped his cause. The PCB is also establishing an oversight committee to monitor national selection panel's decisions and recommend domestic cricket reforms.
The move comes amid a broader transition in Pakistan cricket, with the tenures of Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, and Asad Shafiq on the selection panel under review. Aqib Javed has taken over as Director High Performance, and a new red-ball head coach is expected to be appointed. Mike Hesson, the newly appointed white-ball head coach, is working on long-term squad development for the 2026 T20 World Cup and 2027 ODI World Cup.
The future of Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood in the national team remains uncertain, with their inclusion in future squads dependent on their performances. The PCB's decision to appoint a new all-format captain is expected to bring stability and consistency to the team, as they prepare for a busy international schedule.