In a media landscape that thrives on speculation, Pakistan’s T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha has delivered a calm and candid response to recent reports suggesting he’s being lined up for the ODI captaincy.
While addressing reporters at the ongoing white-ball camp in Karachi, Salman made it clear that no formal discussions have taken place regarding him taking charge of Pakistan’s 50-over side. In fact, he playfully called out the media for fuelling the buzz.
“It was also being said about me that I’m becoming the captain of all three formats,” Salman remarked with a chuckle. “It was reported by you guys, I mean, you can say anything. But until now, I’ve had no discussions regarding the ODI captaincy.”
Rather than delve into the recent musical chairs of leadership, including brief stints by Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, the 31-year-old stayed focused on his current role and his vision.
“I have to think about how I can bring the best out of my team. I only do things which are better for the Pakistan team, and that is my only goal,” he added.
Senior Trio Missing
One major talking point around Pakistan’s T20I squad for the upcoming Bangladesh series is the absence of senior players: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi. But according to Salman Ali Agha, fans have nothing to worry about.
“They’re all part of our core group of 25 players for the T20 World Cup,” he assured.
The trio is currently part of the training camp, sharpening their skills and staying ready, even though they won’t be boarding the flight to Dhaka for the three-match T20I series starting July 20.
Building the Bench for the World Cup
With Pakistan’s eyes firmly on the T20 World Cup 2026, the current phase is all about building a strong bench and identifying backups for every key position.
“We need to have players who can replace anyone at any given time,” said Salman. “That’s why we’ve shortlisted 25 players, and you’ll see them rotating in the national setup up to the World Cup.”
While leadership changes in Pakistan cricket have often been sudden and chaotic, Salman Ali Agha’s grounded, no-fuss approach is a breath of fresh air. He isn’t chasing power or positions, he’s focused on performance and unity.
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