Multan: Salman Ali Agha Emerges as a Surprise Contender for Pakistan’s White-Ball Captaincy
Following Babar Azam’s resignation from the captaincy of Pakistan’s white-ball team, it was widely anticipated that Mohammad Rizwan would be the leading candidate for the role. However, another surprising name has surfaced: Salman Ali Agha. Both Rizwan and Agha are now viewed as strong contenders for leading Pakistan’s white-ball cricket team, with Agha being considered a potential dark horse due to the support he has garnered from senior players.
Many senior players believe that Agha’s leadership could promote better harmony and collaboration within the team, which has struggled with consistency in recent performances.
After a net practice session at the Multan Cricket Stadium, Salman Ali Agha addressed the media. During the press conference, CrickBold asked him, “With Babar Azam stepping down, your name is also being considered for the captaincy alongside Mohammad Rizwan. Are you mentally prepared for this role?”
In response,
Salman Ali Agha smiled and said, “Let’s focus on the current Test series for now; when the time comes, we’ll see.”
Head coach Gary Kirsten, who has the authority to recommend the new captain ahead of Pakistan’s ODI series against Australia in November, is currently in discussions with the selection committee and senior players, including Babar Azam. The new captain will likely prepare the team for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and lead Pakistan in limited-overs cricket.
Sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirm that both Rizwan and Agha are strong candidates.
Senior players have expressed confidence in Agha’s leadership, believing it could help address the recent lack of cohesion within the team. It has also been revealed that Rizwan may not yet be ready to assume the captaincy. A final decision will be made after the three-match Test series against England. Meanwhile, questions have also been raised regarding leadership in Test cricket, especially if Shan Masood’s team suffers a sixth consecutive defeat.
A PCB statement clarified that the national selection committee is tasked with developing strategies for the future of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket, including recommending a new captain. While the PCB had previously supported Babar Azam’s captaincy, Babar himself expressed a desire to step down to focus on his personal form and spend more time with his family.
On Tuesday night, at 11:50 PM, after the team’s arrival in Multan, Babar announced his resignation from white-ball captaincy via social media. In his tweet, he wrote,
“It has been an honor to lead Pakistan, but it’s time for me to step down and focus on my game. I want to concentrate on my batting and spend more time with my family. Being captain was an honor, but now I believe this decision will allow me to improve my performance and focus on my personal and professional growth.”
Babar’s decision comes amid growing criticism following Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup, where the team failed to advance beyond the first round.
Also Read:“Babar ko ab sharam ai,muja tu hunsi a rhi ha”,Sikander Bakht Reacts to Babar Azam’s Resignation
