The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may make a change in the captaincy if the men in green fail to reach the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. According to the latest reports, captain Salman Ali Aga is under immense pressure, and all-rounder Shadab Khan could be considered for the T20I captaincy.
Salman Ali Aga took over as Pakistan captain in March last year after Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were dropped from the New Zealand series. Under Agha’s captaincy, Pakistan has played five matches in the T20 World Cup 2026 and questions have been raised on his tactical decisions in the tournament.
Pakistan lost by 61 runs to India in their Group A match in Colombo on 15 February. The Men in Green also lost to England in the Super Eight match. Following that defeat, experts and former players once again raised concerns over Agha’s tactics and calls on the field.
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Pakistan may dismiss Salman Ali Aga from the post of T20 captain
According to a report in RevSportz, Salman Ali Aga may lose the captaincy, Shadab Khan may be given a chance in his place. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board is expected to take a decision only after PSL 2026. Agha has also struggled with the bat, scoring only 60 runs in five innings in the tournament.
“Look, after the World Cup, Pakistan will go to Bangladesh for a three-match ODI series and then the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will start. The fans’ anger will subside by then. I think they will wait till the PSL is over before taking a decision,” RevSportz quoted a source as saying.
People have started taking the name of Shadab Khan – Shoaib Malik
Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik said that Shadab Khan has been in the news for captaincy for a long time. He told that even when Shadab Khan was injured earlier, reports had revealed that his name was being considered for the role.
Malik said, “People have started taking Shadab’s name for captaincy. Even before this, if you see, when he was injured, things were moving in that direction, right? Reports had already suggested that they wanted him to be the captain even then.”
“You say Islamabad United’s influence is at play, right? That regime has come and all this is happening because of him.”
Shoaib Malik said, “Talks are going on to make Shadab Khan the T20 captain.”
– Sherry. (@CallMeSheri1_) 26 February 2026
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final qualification scenario explained
Pakistan is still in the race for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026, but its fate is no longer in its own hands. Their chances will now depend on the results involving New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan can reach the maximum of three points if they beat Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight match in Pallekele on February 28. New Zealand already have three points, and if they win their remaining matches, Pakistan will be out.
Pakistan’s net run rate at present is -0.461. They will need a big win over Sri Lanka to qualify. If the Men in Green lose to Sri Lanka or their final match is washed out by rain, they will also be out.
Pakistan will play the last match of the group on 28 February. This means that after the New Zealand vs England match on 27th February, they will know by what margin they need to win.
