The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has chosen Salman Ali Agha as the T20I captain for the New Zealand tour, sidelining initial plans to appoint all-rounder Shadab Khan.
The decision aligns with PCB’s strategy to groom young talent ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. After consulting team mentors, officials finalized the shift despite Shadab’s leadership credentials.
Shadab, a seasoned PSL captain with Islamabad United, was first in line. Mentors praised his knack for guiding youngsters. Yet, PCB brass overruled the idea, arguing his inconsistent squad presence made him unfit for the role. Salman, a fixture across formats, took the helm, with Shadab as vice-captain.
Pakistan’s tour ended in a 1-4 loss to New Zealand, with Salman shining as top scorer at 167 runs (average 41.75). Shadab faltered, managing 58 runs and one wicket across five games, hampered by spin-unfriendly pitches. The sole win came in the third match, powered by Hasan Nawaz’s century.
Read: New Zealand Clinches ODI Series with 84-Run Win Over Pakistan
PCB’s youth focus persisted despite the defeats. Usman Khan, paired with Abdullah Shafique, opened in the first ODI, scoring 39 runs in an 83-run stand. The board pushed Usman to open against India in the Champions Trophy, citing his UAE experience. Team management ignored this, opting for Imam-ul-Haq, who scored a sluggish 10 off 26 balls.
PCB’s Mentors and Future Plans
The squad was shaped by five mentors—Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Shoaib Malik. Earlier, they distanced themselves from selection blame after a lacklustre Champions Trophy. Their input leaned toward Shadab for New Zealand, but PCB prioritized Salman’s consistency.
With Usman now injured, Pakistan seeks a new opening pair. Babar Azam, back at No. 3, hit 78 in the first ODI. PCB remains committed to youth, betting on their fit for modern cricket as the T20 World Cup looms.
