Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha finds himself at the center of intense scrutiny as the Men in Green battle to keep their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 dreams alive. With inconsistent performances and mounting criticism over leadership decisions, Agha’s tenure has entered a decisive phase.
Pakistan are set to face Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight clash, and the equation is simple — win and march into the semi-finals. The opportunity, however, arrived in dramatic fashion. New Zealand’s recent defeat to England reopened the door for Pakistan. Had the Black Caps managed to overcome England, Pakistan’s journey would have ended prematurely.
England have already sealed their semi-final berth from the group, leaving one slot up for grabs. Pakistan now have a golden, albeit unexpected, chance to script a turnaround. Yet, the pressure is immense. Despite winning 30 out of 49 T20Is under Agha’s leadership since his appointment in March 2025, Pakistan have struggled in high-stakes encounters — including multiple defeats to India in the Asia Cup 2025 and another setback in this World Cup edition. The clash against Sri Lanka is not just about qualification; it could also define the immediate future of Pakistan’s leadership.
Shahid Afridi backs star all-rounder as future leader of Pakistan
Amid the uncertainty, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has publicly endorsed Shadab Khan as the ideal candidate to lead the T20I side moving forward. Speaking on a private television channel, Afridi hinted that a leadership change could be on the cards after the conclusion of the tournament.
Afridi suggested that much would depend on whether head coach Mike Hesson continues in his role. If the coaching setup remains intact, Afridi believes Shadab is the frontrunner for captaincy.
According to the former all-rounder, Pakistan currently lack multiple strong options for the leadership role, which strengthens Shadab’s case. However, Afridi was quick to add that captaincy cannot be separated from performance. He stressed that Shadab must rediscover consistency with the ball and contribute regularly if he is to command authority within the squad.
“If the same coach [Mike Hesson] remains, then in my opinion, Shadab Khan will be appointed as captain. Shadab is not a bad choice for the captaincy because we do not have many other options at the moment. If Shadab had maintained consistency in his bowling, the way he was performing earlier, it would have strengthened his case,” said Afridi as quoted by Geonews.
Afridi’s comments reflect a broader sentiment within Pakistan cricket circles — leadership must inspire not just tactically but through personal performance. While Shadab has previously led the side in patches and brings experience, his recent form has drawn mixed reviews. The coming weeks could therefore mark a transitional phase for Pakistan cricket, depending on how events unfold.
All eyes on Pallekele as Pakistan brace for Sri Lanka challenge
The high-stakes encounter will unfold at the iconic Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, where emotions are expected to run high. Interestingly, Sri Lanka have already been eliminated from the semi-final race. But that hardly reduces the threat they pose. As co-hosts, the Islanders will be eager to finish their campaign on a strong note and play spoilers. A fearless performance from the Islanders could make Pakistan’s task significantly tougher.
For Pakistan, this is more than just a must-win game — it is a test of character. Having received a lifeline courtesy of New Zealand’s loss, the Men in Green now have destiny in their own hands. The equation is straightforward, but execution under pressure has often been their Achilles’ heel in recent tournaments.
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