After India humiliation, PCB eyes leadership reset
Current captain Salman Ali Agha has come under intense scrutiny after becoming the first Pakistan captain to lose three times to India in a single tournament; It was a humiliation that triggered debate over his suitability to continue leading the team.
Shadab Khan, a 27-year-old spin bowling all-rounder and former vice-captain of Pakistan’s T20I team, is set to take over the captaincy from Salman Ali Agha. Shadab amassed 792 runs and took 112 wickets in 112 T20I matches for the 2009 T20 World Cup champions, news agency PTI reported on Thursday (October 16). He will return to the T20 squad and lead the national team after completing his rehabilitation from the shoulder surgery he underwent in England earlier this year.
Shadab’s last match was a home game against Bangladesh in early June before suffering a shoulder injury. His return is crucial as he is expected to replace Salman Ali Agha in the T20 captaincy role, which he held as vice-captain before the surgery.
The 27-year-old has experience of leading Pakistan in T20 cricket and has extensive captaincy experience in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and domestic competitions.
Currently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continues to support Salman Ali Agha but a reliable source told PTI that they are considering Shadab as the long-term captain of the T20 format. This comes amid controversy over Salman’s position as a player in the T20 format after the Asia Cup.
According to the source, Shadab is expected to return to the field for the bilateral home series against Sri Lanka between November 11-15 as his rehabilitation is progressing well.
With uncertainties regarding the PCB’s ability to host the scheduled tri-series with Afghanistan and Sri Lanka starting November 19, the source stated that the national selectors are keen to evaluate Shadab during the Sri Lanka series.
“HE like that He is also planning to play a four-day domestic match in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy before the Sri Lanka series,” the source said.
Pakistan has scheduled several T20 matches to prepare for next year’s World Cup, culminating in a home series against Australia in January. There are also rumors about rest. Hawk Except for Shah Afridi and possibly Haris We brought in Rauf from the Sri Lanka series to ensure they stay fit for the World Cup.
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