Pakistan Betrays Shadab Khan For T20 Captaincy

During Pakistan’s recent tour of New Zealand, it was reportedly revealed that the board may appoint their veteran spin all-rounder, Shadab Khan, as the captain of the shortest format. However, the authorities were not prepared to accept the proposal.

The Green Brigade, since the start of 2025, has been going through a terrible time. They lost the tri-series final at home against New Zealand and failed to qualify from the group stage of the Champions Trophy with two successive defeats against the Blackcaps and India.

Pakistan’s Cricket Board authorities rule out Shadab Khan’s T20I captaincy future

The reports revealed that the authorities rejected the decision to appoint Shadab as their T20I captain for the five-match series in New Zealand. He has been part of 109 games in the format for the national side to nail 737 runs at a strike rate of nearly 140, celebrating 108 wickets at an average of 24.67 and a strike rate of 20.

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The all-rounder returned to the side after a long time since the end of the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America, where the Green Brigade failed to qualify for the semifinal fixture.

A renowned sports journalist from Pakistan revealed that due to the policy of giving the new players a chance for the World Cup, the selectors decided to hand over the captaincy to the young all-rounder, Salman Ali Agha, after going through consultation with the mentors for the squad selection process.

“During the tour of New Zealand, Shadab Khan was on the verge of being appointed as the T20 captain, but it has been revealed that the authorities rejected the proposal. Under the policy of giving new players opportunities until the World Cup, the leadership was decided to be handed over to Salman Ali Agha. Mentors were also consulted in the squad selection process.” Sports journalist Saleen Khaliq wrote on his X account (formerly known as Twitter).

Shadab Khan’s poor T20I performance vs New Zealand

During the opening game of the series in Christchurch, the Pakistani all-rounder gave away 18 runs in just two overs without any success as the home side chased down 92 runs with nine wickets in hand and nearly 10 overs to spare. In the second encounter, he drilled 26 runs in just 14 balls.

But the concern for the management was his bowling performance. In the third game, he returned with figures of 1/33 in four overs as Pakistan earned a fine victory by nine wickets at the Eden Park in Auckland.

During the fourth game at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, the Kiwi batters nailed the all-rounder of the Pakistan side for 49 runs in four overs. In the fifth and final game at the Sky Stadium in Wellington, Shadab was bashed for 0/33 in just two overs.

Shahid Afridi questions Shadab Khan’s return to Pakistan’s T20I squad

The former captain, Shahid Afridi, has questioned Shadab’s return to the T20I side. He questions how the all-rounder could come back to the team despite his poor show in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

“On what basis has he been recalled? What are his performances in domestic cricket or otherwise that he had been picked again? All the time, we talk about preparations, and when an event comes and we flop, then we talk about surgery. The fact is Pakistan cricket is in ICU because of incorrect decisions.” Shahid Afridi reckoned.

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“There is no continuity, consistency in the Board’s decisions and policies. We keep changing captains, coaches, or some players, but in the end, what is the accountability for Board officials?” He added.

Pakistan hopes to come up with a better performance in the Asia Cup 2025 and late in the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.