Just a few months ago, very few would’ve imagined Salman Ali Agha in line for Pakistan’s Test captaincy — let alone all three formats. But here we are, and the buzz is real.
After leading Pakistan to a 3-0 T20I series sweep over Bangladesh, the spotlight is firmly on the 30-year-old all-rounder.
Praised for his calm leadership and game awareness, Salman Ali Agha may be on the brink of scripting one of the most surprising leadership rises in recent Pakistan cricket history.
Let’s break it all down.
From Vice-Captain to All-Format Leader?
Salman was appointed white-ball vice-captain last year — a move many saw as symbolic or long-term. But fast forward to now, and he’s captained Pakistan to a T20I clean sweep, silenced critics, and, most notably, gained the PCB’s attention.
In fact, according to multiple inside sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board is seriously considering handing him the reins in ODIs and possibly even in Tests.
“Salman’s name is being discussed at the highest level,” one source revealed. “Nothing is official yet, but he’s definitely a strong contender for all-format captaincy.”
Basit Ali’s Tweet Sets the Internet Ablaze
In a twist that added fuel to the fire, former cricketer Basit Ali took to X (formerly Twitter) and congratulated Salman, hinting he may be Pakistan’s next all-format captain.
That’s a pretty big claim, especially when it comes from a former international who still holds sway in cricketing circles.
While no official confirmation has been made, Basit’s cryptic congratulations have sparked conversations across social media platforms and sports desks alike.
What About Saud Shakeel?
Interestingly, Saud Shakeel was believed to be the frontrunner to take over the Test captaincy from Shan Masood, whose tenure has been underwhelming. With just three wins in 12 Test matches, questions around his leadership were bound to surface.
Although Saud’s name is still in the mix, the emergence of Salman as a strong contender has added a new dimension to the debate.
Rizwan’s ODI Captaincy Also Under Review
Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan, who was handed the ODI captaincy in the post-Babar era, may also be on the chopping block. Reports suggest that the PCB is not entirely convinced by his leadership in the 50-over format.
And guess who’s being discussed as his possible replacement? You guessed it — Salman Ali Agha. Having already served as vice-captain in ODIs, his elevation wouldn’t exactly be out of left field. His recent success with the T20I side has only strengthened his case.
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