Pakistan’s T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has put all speculation to rest, confirming that the national team will not be making any major changes ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. With the mega event less than two months away, the skipper says the squad’s combination has already taken shape after months of planning and preparation.
Speaking on the PCB podcast, Salman made it clear that Pakistan will walk into the World Cup with a settled group.
“I don’t think there will be any major changes before the World Cup. This is the combination we will continue with,” he stated.
“All players have been assigned specific roles and we are moving forward with the same structure.”
Captaincy Rumours Put to Bed
Reports of a potential captaincy change had been circulating for weeks, but Agha dismissed them outright.
“As of now, the Pakistan team will compete in the T20 World Cup under my leadership,” he affirmed.
With Pakistan placed in Group A alongside India, USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands, stability in leadership will be crucial, and the captain appears fully confident about steering the side into the tournament.
Six Matches Left — No Time for Overhauls
Agha highlighted that Pakistan still have six T20Is to play before the World Cup, including a tri-series in Sri Lanka.
“We cannot make big changes in these six matches,” he said. “We’ve played with this group for six months, and the results have started to come.”
The captain believes the upcoming Sri Lanka series will be valuable for both seniors and newcomers.
“Senior players know Sri Lankan conditions well, and younger players will get vital exposure. This series is important and we will treat it seriously.”
Following the Sri Lanka tour, Australia are expected to visit Pakistan for a short T20I series that will wrap up just before the tournament.
Fitness, Structure and Long-Term Vision
Salman emphasised that the team’s preparations go beyond just tactics — fitness and discipline remain central.
He also praised the dressing room culture shaped under coach Mike Hesson and credited his Islamabad United connection with several players for creating strong on-field chemistry.
Agha didn’t shy away from expressing his long-term dream either.
“I want Pakistan to win the T20 World Cup 2026 and then the 2027 ODI World Cup. These are my dreams.”
A Captain Growing Into His Role
Reflecting on his personal journey, Salman spoke about the challenges of early captaincy and the honour of representing Pakistan.
He called Babar Azam a world-class batter who “never needs guidance,” describing him as a friend and a core pillar of the side.
From training twice a day on off-days to constantly working on his strength against spin, Agha says his focus remains on becoming the best version of himself.
Pakistan’s World Cup Approach: Stability First
In a year dominated by debates around team combinations, Pakistan’s T20I captain has delivered a message of clarity — the squad is stable, the roles are clear, and the direction is set.
With the clock ticking toward February 7, when the T20 World Cup begins in India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan appear determined to enter the tournament with unity, confidence, and continuity.
