Former all-rounder Imad Wasim has backed Shadab Khan for the Pakistan T20I captaincy amid increased scrutiny of Salman Ali Agha’s credentials.
In an interview with Pak Passion, Imad said it was the right time to make a change and backed Shadab as the ideal candidate, citing his understanding of the game.
“I think it is the right time, and I don’t see anyone else doing the job. Shadab is the only guy left. He knows the game,” he said.
The 37-year-old admitted that captains are bound to make mistakes, noting that if the selectors decided to replace Salman Ali Agha, Shadab should take over the role.
“Obviously, while you’re doing captaincy you will make errors but not big errors. I think Shadab is the right guy if they are thinking of changing Salman. Otherwise, I don’t see anyone else,” Wasim said.
Imad Wasim’s comments come amid reports that Salman Ali Agha is set to be removed as Pakistan’s T20I captain after a dismal T20 World Cup campaign, held earlier this year in India and Sri Lanka.
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Shadab reportedly emerged as the leading candidate to take over the reins of the limited-overs side. However, his recent performances have also raised a question about his place in the team.
In 2026, he took nine wickets across 11 innings, averaging 29 with an economy rate of 7.68. In batting, he has scored 217 runs, with a top score of 46 and a strike rate of 160.
The all-rounder had previously led Pakistan on multiple occasions — in 2020 and 2023. He was first appointed as captain during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand in 2020, a series they lost 2-1.
In 2023, Shadab led Pakistan’s second-string team in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in Sharjah. Pakistan faced a 2-1 series defeat, marking their first-ever bilateral series loss to Afghanistan.
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