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July 15, 2025

Salman Ali Agha Clears Air on ODI Captaincy Speculation

Salman Ali Agha Clears Air on ODI Captaincy Speculation
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All-rounder Salman Ali Agha has put an end to swirling rumors that he might be appointed as Pakistan’s next ODI captain, amid claims he could replace Mohammad Rizwan across formats.

In a press briefing ahead of the Bangladesh tour, Agha said: “I’m focused on contributing as a player and leader in T20s. ODI captaincy isn’t something I’m discussing right now.” He emphasised that his priority is to support Rizwan in the 50-over side and help build a strong white-ball unit.

The rumors stem from ongoing leadership reshuffles by the PCB, which recently replaced Rizwan as T20 captain with Agha, who led Pakistan to victory against Zimbabwe and the New Zealand series. Sources suggest the board is weighing giving him full-time captaincy across formats.

Meanwhile, veteran Tanvir Ahmed criticized the possibility of passing all formats to Agha, citing his moderate T20 strike rate and questioning the selection logic. However, Agha’s  brand has won praise from coach Aqib Javed.

Former pacer Mohammad Amir weighed in, noting that while Agha is capable, someone like Mohammad Haris might have offered stronger leadership credentials.

What’s Next

  • PCB decision: Expect clarity after Eid, when the governing body finalizes its captaincy plan.
     
  • ODI series in Bangladesh (July 20–24): Agha will focus solely on his T20 role, while Rizwan continues as ODI skipper.
     
  • World Cup roadmap: The leadership structure will set the tone for the upcoming Asia Cup (Sept 2025) and T20 World Cup (Feb–Mar 2026).

Salman Ali Agha has firmly dismissed speculation about taking over as ODI captain. He emphasized that he would play his best in the T20 circuit to support Rizwan in prolonging his ODI captaining stint. The next few weeks will leave us with answers provided by the PCB, which will determine the future leadership of Pakistan going into major international tournaments that lie ahead.


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