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Salman Ali Agha explains why Usman Khan was included in Pakistan’s T20I squad vs SA

Rajgeeta Yadav

Usman Khan [Source: AFP]Usman Khan [Source: AFP]

Last week, Pakistan announced a 15-member team for the upcoming T20 series against South Africa. Some familiar faces returned to the squad, including former captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan. Notably, Usman last represented Pakistan earlier this year during the team’s tour of New Zealand, and his comeback raised a few eyebrows due to his modest international record.

During a pre-series press conference in Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, explained the thinking behind Usman Khan’s selection. Agha said that the decision was made with future tournaments in mind, especially the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be played in Sri Lanka, a country known for its spin-friendly pitches.

Agha Salman reveals reason behind Usman Khan's selection

Agha stated that the team needed a wicketkeeper who could bat effectively in the middle overs, particularly against spin bowling. 

“We wanted a wicketkeeper who could bat in the middle order and middle overs, especially against spin, because I believe, going forward, we may get to play a lot of spin even before going to Sri Lanka,” Agha stated.

“Although his record in international cricket is not that good, you must have seen in the PSL that he bats really well in the middle overs against spin,” he added.

Usman Khan caught the selectors’ attention during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025, where he played as a UAE-based player but performed outstandingly for his franchise. His strong showing led the Pakistan team management to invite him back to represent Pakistan ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.

So far, Usman has played 19 T20Is and two ODIs for Pakistan, scoring a total of 290 runs across both formats, including a half-century against Australia last year. In T20Is alone, he has scored 239 runs in 17 innings with a strike rate of 121.93. However, his recent PSL form was much better, 213 runs in 8 innings at a strike rate of 147.91, including one fifty.

Agha concluded that Usman’s ability to play spin and his recent domestic performances made him a valuable addition for the South Africa series and the future World Cup plans. 

The three-match T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa begins October 28 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.