Salman Ali Agha, the Pakistan captain, was left with a smile after a journalist asked him if he’d leave the captaincy himself or if he'd be removed from the post. Pakistan has failed to reach the semi-finals of four consecutive ICC events, including the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Pakistan's aim in the Group 2 Super 8s match against Sri Lanka was simple: restrict the opponent to 147 and win by 65 runs; unfortunately, it was not to be, as Sri Lanka scored 207, sending Pakistan home from the tenth T20 World Cup.
The focus was on Salman Ali Agha, as he was underwhelming with both the bat and as a skipper. He scored just 60 runs in six innings and took only one wicket. As a captain, several of his tactical decisions on the pitch were puzzling, and he was chastised by several former Pakistan players.
During the post-match press conference, a reporter straight up asked Agha whether he would step down as captain on his own or be removed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Answering the question, Agha said, “I think we haven't played as well as we should have in the World Cup. Right now, I think any decision taken right now will be emotional. We will go back and take some time and then make the required decision.”
Agha managed to side-step the question but encountered another reporter, who asked an instigating question, asking Agha whether he was treated as a “dummy captain” by the head coach, Mike Hesson.
The query was directed at Babar Azam, who was relegated to No. 4 and then dropped for the crucial match against Sri Lanka after the head coach publicly criticized the former Pakistan captain's strike rate during the powerplay.
“Mike Hesson makes the captain and removes the captain. He has a lot of votes in the selection and a lot of opinions on the playing 11. Do you think he is dominating more, and he is portraying you as a dummy captain?” the reporter asked.
This question seemed to have gotten on the nerves of the 32-year-old, and Agha replied, “The problem is that if I don't answer this, you will take disrespect. But sir, listen to me. When a team is formed, it is a team game. It is not formed by one person's decision. It is the result of the decisions of all stakeholders. Babar had a different role in this World Cup.
He was number 4; he had a better experience. We needed a batsman who could come in the middle order and provide stability and save us from collapse. He had a different role. And when you come to the World Cup, you define the players' roles. He had this role, and we were looking at it from this point.”
