Former Pakistan Fast Bowler Hints Salman Ali Agha May Lose T20 Captaincy After World Cup

Rashid Latif says Babar Azam is no longer T20 material

LAHORE: Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir predicted that current skipper Salman Ali Agha may not remain Pakistan’s T20I captain after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The remark follows a string of disappointing performances in the tournament, including Tuesday’s Super Eights defeat to England at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Amir questioned whether the current captain would continue in the role beyond the competition and hinted that significant changes could be imminent.

“I think Salman Ali Agha will no longer remain the T20 captain after this World Cup. In my opinion, no one else truly deserves it at the moment. As things stand, I don’t see a suitable replacement right now. I also believe that for many players, this T20 World Cup will be their last,” Amir said.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif was equally forthright in his assessment, claiming that Babar Azam is “no longer a player of this format”.

He questioned why the right-hander was recalled to the side six months after being dropped over concerns about his strike rate.

Latif noted that the team management had previously stated Babar would return once his scoring rate improved.

“Where did it improve? Why did you bring him back?” he asked, describing the decision as an injustice by the board and coaching staff.

He also criticised Pakistan’s batting tempo, arguing that modern T20 cricket demands players who can shift gears and control a chase.

According to Latif, when a batter consumes 20 to 25 deliveries without accelerating, pressure builds at the other end and forces incoming players into high-risk strokes.

He stressed that set batters must take responsibility and bat deep, particularly when partners are struggling to score freely. Latif compared Pakistan’s approach with opposition batters who keep the scoreboard moving under pressure.

He said successful players are able to “play from both ends” and maintain control of the chase, whereas Pakistan’s batters often fail to accelerate at the right time, allowing pressure to mount.