Salman Agha is set to lead Pakistan's T20I side in the upcoming three-match series against South Africa, a decision that has generated considerable interest. The series is scheduled to commence on October 28 and conclude on November 1, with matches to be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Following this series, Pakistan will participate in a T20 tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
Agha's appointment as captain comes despite what some perceive as a lackluster performance in the recent Asia Cup 2025. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to retain him, signaling their confidence in his leadership abilities. The decision to appoint Agha as captain is strategic, keeping in mind the upcoming ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup 2025 and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
The squad sees the return of former captain Babar Azam, who was absent from the T20I setup for 10 months. His inclusion is expected to bolster the team's batting prowess and provide stability in the middle order. Babar's return is viewed as a move to revamp the T20 side following a disappointing performance in the Asia Cup. Along with Azam, young talent Abdul Samad and fast bowler Naseem Shah have also been included in the squad.
Other notable inclusions in the squad are Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, and Usman Tariq, with Tariq being the only uncapped player. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Muhammad Nawaz will reinforce the bowling attack. The selectors are also considering giving opportunities to Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris.
Fakhar Zaman has been named as a reserve, while Haris Rauf, who faced criticism during the Asia Cup, has also been named among the reserves. There was speculation about a possible captaincy change after Agha's performance in the Asia Cup, but the selectors have decided to stick with him.
The T20I series against South Africa and the subsequent tri-series are crucial for Pakistan as they prepare for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup next year. The team's performance in these series will be closely watched as they aim to fine-tune their strategies and identify the best组合of players for the global tournament.
Pakistan T20I Squad:
- Salman Ali Agha (Captain)
- Babar Azam
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Abdul Samad
- Naseem Shah
- Abrar Ahmed
- Faheem Ashraf
- Hasan Nawaz
- Usman Tariq
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Mohammad Wasim Jr
- Mohammad Salman Mirza
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Saim Ayub
