Pakistan Captain Salman Agha Faces Harshest Penalty After Three Losses to India in 15 Days: Report
Pakistan is set to replace T20I captain Salman Agha following three consecutive defeats to India in the Asia Cup 2025. Pakistan to Replace Salman Agha as T20I Captain After Asia Cup Defeats Pakistan is set to remove Salman Agha as T20I captain following three consecutive losses to arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup 2025. According to PTI, the Pakistan Cricket Board plans to appoint all-rounder Shadab Khan as his replacement, framing the move as a strategic reset ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The decision comes after Pakistan’s winless record against India during the tournament. The Men in Green fell to their neighbors in the Group A clash on September 14, again in the Super Fours on September 21, and most critically in the final on September 28. The final proved particularly painful. Pakistan were well-placed at 113 for one but collapsed spectacularly, losing nine wickets for just 33 runs to be all out for 146. India’s left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav was instrumental, taking 4 for 30 and exploiting Pakistan’s vulnerability against quality spin. Tilak Varma’s composed 69-run innings guided India to a tense two-wicket victory, securing a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title amid a politically charged atmosphere that highlighted the performance gap. Salman Agha struggled with the bat throughout the tournament, scoring just 72 runs in seven matches at an average of 12 and a strike rate of 80.90. Coupled with criticism over his captaincy decisions, the hat-trick of defeats to India underscored the need for change, prompting Pakistan’s cricket board to act ahead of the next T20 World Cup. Why Shaadab Khan? Shadab Khan brings a wealth of experience and tactical flexibility to Pakistan’s T20I setup. The leg-spinning all-rounder has played 112 T20Is and previously served as vice-captain, with multiple leadership stints in various leagues around the world. As reported by PTI, Shadab is currently recovering from shoulder surgery and is expected to assume the captaincy upon his return next month. His dual role as a middle-over spinner and lower-order batter adds vital balance to a squad that has struggled to find the right combination. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Asia Cup 2025: Salman Agha Reacts to Fakhar Zaman’s Dismissal in IND vs PAK — “Ball Bounced Before Reaching the Keeper”
Pakistan captain Salman Agha suggested that umpires may have erred in ruling Fakhar Zaman out during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash against India on Sunday, September 21. Salman Agha argued that the ball appeared to bounce before reaching wicketkeeper Sanju Samson. Batting first, Pakistan lost their opener early when Zaman edged Hardik Pandya’s delivery in the third over and was caught behind by Samson. The on-field umpires were uncertain whether the catch was clean and referred it to the third umpire, who eventually confirmed the dismissal. Zaman had shown promise with three boundaries but managed only 15 runs from nine balls. Following his exit, Sahibzada Farhan (58) and Saim Ayub (21) put together a vital 72-run partnership for the second wicket, ensuring Pakistan a solid platform. “To me, it bounced before reaching the keeper”: Salman Agha on Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal Pakistan captain Salman Agha hinted at a possible umpiring error regarding Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal during the post-match press conference. He suggested that the Men in Green might have posted a much bigger total had Zaman batted throughout the powerplay. “I don’t know about the decision. Obviously, it’s the umpire’s call. Umpires can make mistakes, and I have no problem with that. But it did look to me like it bounced before reaching the keeper,” Salman Agha said. He added, “I might be wrong, though. Judging by the way he was batting, if he had stayed through the powerplay, we probably could have scored around 190. But yes, it’s the umpire’s call, and they can make mistakes.” Salman Agha also reflected on Pakistan’s innings, admitting that the team should have posted a total exceeding 180 after a solid start. Pakistan reached 91/1 after 10 overs, but a brilliant spell from the Indian bowlers slowed the run-rate in the latter half, and the Men in Green finished at 171/5. “It wasn’t a disappointing total, but we should have added 10-15 more runs. After 10 overs, when the ball gets softer, scoring becomes difficult at this venue. But given our start, we should have easily crossed 180,” he said. India’s openers, Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, showcased outstanding batting during the 172-run chase, putting together a 105-run opening partnership. Gill fell just short of his half-century, scoring 47, while Abhishek smashed 74 off 39 balls to claim the Player of the Match award. India ultimately outclassed Pakistan by six wickets, marking their fourth consecutive victory in the tournament. The defending champions will next face Bangladesh on September 24 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan captain Salman Agha warns India ahead of Super Four clash — “We’re ready for any challenge”
Salman Agha’s Pakistan enter Super Four after UAE win, eye India clash in Asia Cup 2025. Pakistan, led by Salman Agha, booked their place in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025 with a 41-run win over the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The victory sets up another high-voltage clash against India on Sunday, September 21, in Dubai. The qualification comes after Pakistan’s disappointing seven-wicket defeat to India on September 14, which was followed by the no-handshake controversy. With pressure mounting, Agha assured that his side is prepared to bounce back strongly. Asia Cup: “We’re ready for any challenge. We just want to play good cricket, and if we continue the way we’ve been playing over the last few months, we’ll be good against any team,” Agha said at the post-match presentation. In the earlier group-stage encounter against India, Pakistan managed only 127/9 in 20 overs after opting to bat first. Asia Cup, Kuldeep Yadav starred with three wickets, while Suryakumar Yadav (47*), Abhishek Sharma (31), and Tilak Varma (31) powered India to victory in just 15.5 overs with seven wickets to spare. Asia Cup: “We haven’t played our best cricket yet.” – Salman Agha on Pakistan’s batting struggles Pakistan captain Salman Agha admitted that his team’s inability to capitalize in the middle overs has been holding them back from posting challenging totals in the 170–180 range. The skipper himself has found it tough to settle in the middle order, while opener Saim Ayub is still searching for his first run of the tournament after three consecutive ducks. Asia Cup: “We got the job done, but we still need to improve our batting in the middle overs. That’s been a concern for a few games now. Even though we’re managing to reach around 150, if we play better through the middle, we can consistently push for 170–180 against any side. So yes, that’s the key area we must work on,” Salman explained. All eyes will now be on Pakistan as they look to avenge their group-stage defeat to India when the two sides meet again in Dubai on Sunday. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration