KARACHI: Former Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has said that if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decides to make a change in leadership, it will back Shatab Khan as a strong candidate to replace Salman Ali Agha as Pakistan’s T20 captain.
Speaking during a recent interview with a local sports platform, Wasim said Shadab’s understanding of the game and leadership qualities make him the perfect fit for the role.
Every captain is bound to make mistakes, but he believes Shadab has the ability to lead the team effectively.
“I think it’s the right time and I don’t see anyone else doing the job. Shadab is the only one left. He knows the game. Obviously, when you’re captain you make mistakes, but not big mistakes. I think Shadab is the right guy if they want to replace Salman. Otherwise, I won’t look at anyone else,” Wasim said.
Imad’s comments come amid recent media reports that Salman Ali Agha may be sacked as Pakistan’s T20I captain following the team’s disappointing performance at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
According to reports, Shadab has emerged as the leading contender to take up the role. Many former Pakistan cricketers have also weighed in on the matter, with some opposing the idea of appointing the leg-spinning all-rounder as captain.
They questioned both his leadership credentials and his place in the playing XI after a series of underperformances.
Notably, Shadab had previously captained Pakistan in two separate T20I series in 2020 and 2023.
His first stint as captain came during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand in December 2020, when he replaced the injured Babar Azam for the three-match T20I series. Pakistan lost the series 2-1.
Shadab Green returned to lead the side during the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in Sharjah in March 2023.
On that occasion, regular skipper Babar Azam, along with Faqar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, were rested as part of workload management ahead of a busy international schedule.
Pakistan lost the series 2–1, losing their first ever bilateral series to Afghanistan.