Pakistan T20 captain Salman Ali Agha on Monday put to rest the ongoing speculation surrounding the national futures of senior players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, affirming that the trio remain part of the national team’s plans for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference at the National Bank Stadium ahead of Pakistan’s departure for a three-match T20I series in Bangladesh, Salman clarified that all three players are among the 25-member core group being prepared for the mega event scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka next year.
“Absolutely, they are certainly part of the pool,” Salman said, responding to a question about the senior trio.
“We have a pool of 25 players that we’ve finalised, and these three senior players are very much part of it. They have performed exceptionally well for Pakistan.”
The clarification comes after recent squad announcements that excluded Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen, raising questions over their roles in the team moving forward, particularly in the T20 format. Babar and Rizwan last featured in Pakistan’s T20I series against South Africa in December 2024, while Shaheen was part of the squad that toured New Zealand in March 2025.
Focus Shifts to T20s
With limited red-ball cricket and the next ODI World Cup over two years away, the current team strategy appears to be centered on T20 cricket. Salman confirmed that the focus has shifted to preparing for the shortest format.
“You prepare for what’s ahead in the next six months,” he said.
“Right now, it’s T20s. It’s not that we are running away from Tests or ODIs, but our performances haven’t been strong enough to earn more Test series. If we go and beat teams in Australia or England, they will want to play us.”
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly requested the West Indies board to convert the scheduled ODI matches on the upcoming Caribbean tour into T20Is — another indication of the priority given to World Cup preparation.
Nawaz in for Injured Shadab
Salman also addressed the selection of all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, whose inclusion has raised eyebrows due to recent underwhelming performances in domestic and franchise cricket. Defending the move, he said Nawaz was chosen as a like-for-like replacement for injured vice-captain Shadab Khan, who is recovering from shoulder surgery in the UK.
“After Shadab’s injury, we needed a like-for-like replacement. Nawaz offers that,” Salman explained.
“Temporary poor performance is not a big issue if the player has ability.”
On Shaheen’s Role and Leadership Questions
Amid ongoing conversations about Shaheen Afridi’s form and leadership after his brief stint as T20I captain, Salman strongly backed the left-arm pacer’s value to the team.
“There’s no need to undermine Shaheen’s performances,” he said.
“He’s a world-class bowler and one of Pakistan’s best. He will definitely feature in white-ball cricket going forward.”
He also brushed aside discussions about long-term captaincy or format-wise leadership assignments.
“I don’t think about whether I’ll be captain in the Asia Cup or the World Cup. Right now, my focus is on winning this series in Bangladesh and getting the best out of my players,” Salman said.
Series vs Bangladesh Begins July 20
Pakistan’s T20 squad will travel to Dhaka later this week for a three-match series against Bangladesh, scheduled for July 20, 22, and 24. A training camp was recently held in Karachi to replicate playing conditions in Bangladesh.
“We are going for the next series with ample preparations as Bangladesh can be a challenging team in their home conditions,” the skipper concluded.
