Salman Agha: A better fit for Tests and ODIs than T20Is | Sports

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Just two months after the Asia Cup, Pakistan cricket came under fire for Salman Ali Agha, who was accused of contributing to the team’s disappointing performance. Agha’s captaincy and slow batting during the tournament drew widespread scrutiny from fans and critics alike.

During the Asia Cup 2025, Salman Ali Agha came under heavy scrutiny for both his leadership and batting style. Critics highlighted his inability to inspire the team during crucial moments and take decisive leads. His slow scoring and conservative approach failed to provide the spark Pakistan needed when the game was on the line.

In seven Asia Cup matches, he scored just 72 runs, with an average of 20 and an average of 12. His strike rate of 80.89 was heavily criticised. In seven matches, he hits only four fours and one six.

Pakistan’s disappointing run against arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup 2025 has reportedly prompted leadership changes in the national T20 set-up.

The losses – Group A fixtures on September 14, Super Fours on September 21, and the final on September 28 – proved too damaging for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to ignore.

The final contest was particularly humiliating for the men in green. From a strong position at 113 for 1, Pakistan collapsed dramatically, losing by nine wickets for just 33 runs.

In summary, the Asia Cup exposed three key weaknesses: Agha’s muted batting contributions, lack of leadership during high-pressure phases, and selection/strategic decisions that drew widespread criticism.

Until these aspects are addressed, questions about his suitability as captain and batsman in the middle order will persist.

According to media reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning to replace Salman Agha with all-rounder Shadab Khan as the national T20 captain, but the decision is yet to be made, according to media reports.

All-rounder Shadab Khan was also in the lineup after recovering from shoulder surgery. The move can be seen as part of a wider strategy to improve the T20 setup ahead of the 2026 ICCT20 World Cup.

Shadab brings significant experience to the role, having played 112 T20s and captained teams in various global franchise leagues. Known for his adaptability and cricketing intelligence, Shadab’s dual role as a leg-spinner and lower-order batsman offers balance to a T20 squad struggling with consistency and combination.

A change in lead indicates the urgency to initiate a reset within the PCB. With the T20 World Cup less than a year away, it is time for a new leadership under Shadab Khan who can restore tactical clarity, confidence and competitiveness to the national team.

Pakistan’s next phase will be closely watched as they redeem and rebuild after a humiliating Asia Cup campaign. Which exposed tactical gaps, mental fragility and inability to handle pressure against their tough opponents.

But after the Asia Cup debacle, Salman Ali Agha suddenly became one of the most reliable batsmen in the current Pakistan squad in Tests and One Day Internationals.

In the two-Test home series against South Africa, Salman was the top scorer of the series with 170 runs, at an average of 42.50.

In the ODI series as well, Salman Ali Agha is the most successful batsman with 136 runs in three matches with two fifties and a healthy average of 68.

Even in the first ODI against Sri Lanka on tour, Agha received the match award for his match-winning knock of 103 not out off 87 deliveries.

Experts believe that in Pakistan’s evolving cricket setup, Salman Ali Agha has quietly established himself as a reliable middle-order batsman, especially in the longer formats. Although his all-round abilities are often tested across formats, the statistics show that Salman’s game is better suited to the patient demands of Tests and the tactical tempo of ODIs rather than the explosive pace of T20 cricket.

Since making his Test debut in 2022, Salman has scored 1487 runs in 23 matches at an average of over 39, including three centuries and 10 fifties. His ability to innings under pressure and rotate the strike effectively has provided much-needed balance to Pakistan’s middle order. Moreover, his off-spin took 20 wickets, adding depth to the team’s bowling options which is invaluable in Test conditions.

In ODIs, Salman has been consistent if not spectacular, amassing around 1357 runs in 45 matches with a strike rate of over 95 at 45.23. His adaptable approach allows him to anchor the innings or accelerate when needed, a skill that has evolved in 50-over cricket.

However, his T20 record tells a different story. In 35 T20 Internationals, Salman has averaged just 596 runs under the age of 23 and a modest strike rate of around 110, indicating that he struggles to find a rhythm in the power-hitting format. His bowling, too, has been less effective in T20s due to the aggressive intent of the batsmen.

These numbers indicate that Salman Ali Agha’s temperament, technique and maturity make him a valuable asset in Tests and ODIs, where calculated shot-making and patience prevail. For Pakistan, its longer-format stability outweighs the need to force it into a T20S-A format that doesn’t play to its strengths.

Salman Ali Agha’s performance indicates that he is more effective in ODIs and Tests than in T20s. His batting technique, strategic thinking, and adaptability to the longer formats of the game, allow him to play a more significant role in the team’s success.

Leaving him out of the T20 squad could enable the Pakistan Cricket Board to improve its squad composition to include players better suited to the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket. This strategic move will not only maximize Agha’s strengths but also strengthen the team’s overall performance across formats, aligning players’ skills with format-specific demands.

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