Just two months after the Asia Cup, Pakistan cricket faced intense criticism of Salman Ali Agha, who was accused of contributing to the team’s disappointing performance. During that tournament Agha’s captaincy and slow batting drew widespread scrutiny from fans and critics alike.
During the Asia Cup 2025, Salman Ali Agha came under heavy scrutiny for both his leadership and batting style. Critics highlighted his inability to inspire the team and lead decisively during crucial moments. His slow scoring and conservative approach failed to provide the spark Pakistan needed when the game was on the line.
In the seven matches of the Asia Cup, he managed only 72 runs, with a high score of 20 and averaging 12. His strike-rate of 80.89 was deeply criticised. In seven matches he hits only four fours and a six.
Pakistan’s dismal run against arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup 2025 has reportedly prompted a major leadership change in the national T20 set-up.
The losses - in the Group A fixture on September 14, the Super Fours on September 21, and the final on September 28 - proved too damaging for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to ignore.
The final encounter was particularly humiliating for the Men in Green. From a strong position at 113 for 1, Pakistan collapsed dramatically to 146 all out, losing nine wickets for just 33 runs.
In summary, the Asia Cup exposed three main weaknesses: Agha’s muted batting contributions, leadership lapses during high-pressure phases, and selection/tactic decisions that drew wide criticism.
Unless these aspects are addressed, questions about his suitability as captain and as a middle-order batter will persist.
According to media reports after a pathetic performance in the tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning to replace Salman Agha with all-rounder Shadab Khan as the national T20I captain, but it was not decided yet.
All-rounder Shadab Khan was also in line to step in after recovery from shoulder surgery. The move can be seen as part of a broader strategy to revamp the T20 set-up ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
Shadab brings significant experience to the role, having played 112 T20Is and captained teams in several global franchise leagues. Known for his adaptability and cricketing intelligence, Shadab’s dual role as a leg-spinner and lower-order batter offers balance to a T20 squad struggling with consistency and combinations.
The leadership change underscores the urgency within the PCB to initiate a reset. With the T20 World Cup less than a year away, the can hope for a new leadership under Shadab Khan who can restore tactical clarity, confidence, and competitiveness to the national team.
Pakistan’s next phase will be closely watched as they seek redemption and rebuild after a humiliating Asia Cup campaign - one that exposed tactical gaps, mental fragility and an inability to handle pressure against their fiercest rivals.
But after the Asia Cup disaster, Salman Ali Agha suddenly became one of the most dependable batsmen in Tests and One-day Internationals in current Pakistan squad.
In the two Test home series against South Africa, Salman was the top-scorer of the series with 170 runs, averaging 42.50.
In the One-day internationals series too, Salman Ali Agha remains the most successful batsman with 136 runs in three matches with the help of two fifties and a healthy average of 68.
Even in the first one-day international against tour Sri Lanka, Agha received the Man-of- the-Match award for his match winning knock of 103 not out on 87 deliveries.
The experts believe that in Pakistan’s evolving cricket setup, Salman Ali Agha has quietly established himself as a reliable middle-order batsman, particularly in the longer formats. While his all-round abilities have often been tested across formats, statistics suggest that Salman’s game is far better suited to the patient demands of Tests and the tactical tempo of ODIs rather than the explosive pace of T20 cricket.
Since making his Test debut in 2022, Salman has scored over 1487 runs in 23 matches at an average of just over 39, including three centuries and 10 fifties. His ability to build innings under pressure and rotate strike efficiently has provided much-needed balance to Pakistan’s middle order. Moreover, his off-spin has yielded 20 wickets, adding depth to the team’s bowling options-something invaluable in Test conditions.
In ODIs, Salman has been consistent if not spectacular, amassing around 1357 runs in 45 matches at an average 45.23 with a strike rate over 95. His adaptable approach allows him to anchor the innings or accelerate when required, a skill well-aligned with the evolving nature of 50-over cricket.
However, his T20 record tells a different story. In 35 T20 Internationals, Salman has scored just 596 runs at an average below 23 and a modest strike rate of around 110, indicating that he struggles to find rhythm in the power-hitting format. His bowling, too, has been less effective due to the aggressive intent of batters in T20s.
These numbers underline that Salman Ali Agha’s temperament, technique, and maturity make him a valuable asset in Tests and ODIs, where calculated shot-making and patience prevail. For Pakistan, his long-format stability outweighs the need to force-fit him into T20s-a format that simply doesn’t play to his strengths.
Salman Ali Agha's performance indicates that he is more effective in ODIs and Test matches than in T20s. His batting technique, strategic thinking, and adaptability suit the longer formats of the game, allowing him to contribute more significantly to the team’s success.
Dropping him from the T20 squad could enable the Pakistan Cricket Board to optimise their team composition by including players better suited to the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket. This strategic move would not only maximize Agha's strengths but also strengthen the overall team’s performance across all formats, aligning player skills with format-specific demands.
khurrams87yahoo.com