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Is Shadab Khan the right candidate to replace Agha Salman as Pakistan T20I captain? Analysis reveal



Shadab Khan - (Source: AFP)Shadab Khan - (Source: AFP)

On Thursday, October 16, there were reports that the PCB is considering sacking Salman Ali Agha as the Pakistan T20I captain and replacing him with Shadab Khan. The star all-rounder, who missed the Asia Cup 2025 because of injury, is reported to have regained full fitness and will lead the side in the upcoming T20I series.

The PCB is upset with Salman Ali Agha for failing to win a solitary match against India in a span of two weeks. Overall, it will be the fourth change in leadership for Pakistan since Babar Azam stepped down from his role in 2024. 

Shadab will follow the footsteps of Babar Azam , Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Salman Ali Agha. Meanwhile, this article will shed light on whether Shadab Khan is actually the right candidate to lead Pakistan in the shortest format of the game.

Salman Ali Agha's captaincy record compared to others

Criteria
Babar Azam
Mohammad Rizwan
Shaheen Afridi
Salman Ali Agha
Matches Captained148
24
530
Win849
117
Loss5215
413
Draw4000
No- Result8
000
Win%56.7%37.5%20%56.6%

If we look at the stats, then Salman Ali Agha is likely to be sacked by Pakistan despite a win percentage of 56.6%, which is identical to Babar Azam's captaincy feat for the Men in Green. Thus, it is clear that the PCB is looking for a guy who can produce better results and a higher win percentage as a captain that Agha and Babar, which has certainly become the bench mark. 

Shadab Khan's captaincy record for Pakistan in T20Is

Criteria
Data
Matches Captained6
Win2
Loss4
Draw0
No- Result0
Win%33.3%

Interestingly, the PCB is looking to handover the Pakistan captaincy to Shadab Khan, who has a win% of just 33.3%, which is less than Mohammad Rizwan, who also boasts a 37.5% win percentage.

Thus, the likely move is beyond understanding because if the idea is to revert to someone who has led Pakistan in the past, then why not to seniors like Rizwan or Babar who all have better records than Shadab Khan.

Anyhow, before jumping the gun, it is also important to see how has Shadab Khan has performed as a player when also dons the role of a captain. 

Shadab Khan's stats as a player and captain

Criteria
Overall
As Captain
Matches
112
6
Runs
792118
Average
1819.66
Strike-rate
140
118
Wickets112
3
Strike-rate
19.842

If we look at the stats, then Shadab Khan has seen a massive dip in his performance for Pakistan. While, his average has slightly improved, but his wicket-taking ability has taken a massive hit.

So, now the question is whether PCB should revert to Khan or look for a new player as the next Pakistan captain.

Big verdict

It looks like a bad move for Pakistan to revert to Shadab Khan as the player has not performed well as the captain for Men in Green and neither has his performance as a player has improved.

Thus, it will be great for Pakistan to look for a new candidate to lead for Pakistan.