Former Pakistan cricketer reveals PCB’s ‘hidden agenda’ behind Salman Agha’s captaincy

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has claimed that Salman Ali Agha's appointment as T20I captain for the upcoming series against New Zealand is part of a larger plan by the selectors to eventually make Shadab Khan the skipper.  

Agha was named Pakistan’s fourth T20I captain since January 2024, following Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced an inexperienced squad for the five-match series, set to begin later this month.  

Ali suggested that the tour of New Zealand will be a tough challenge for Pakistan, and if the team struggles, the selectors will bring in Shadab as captain.  

“The selectors appointed Salman Ali Agha because they want to make Shadab Khan the captain. The New Zealand tour will be difficult, and then Shadab will be in the running. Let Shadab play; he is a good player. He will step in if he performs well,” said Ali.  

The former cricketer also questioned Agha’s selection as T20I captain, arguing that he is not suited for the shortest format.  

“Salman Ali Agha is a very good player in Test matches and ODIs, but he is not a T20 player. The selectors turned a blind eye here,” Ali remarked.  

He further criticized the selection process, accusing the national selectors of favoritism and inconsistency while picking the white-ball squads for the New Zealand tour.  

“Pakistan has announced their squads, and it’s a complete mess. Some players were picked based on different people’s preferences. A team is not built this way. It seems they are trying to mislead the public,” he concluded.

Pakistan will face New Zealand in the first T20I of the tour on March 16, Sunday.