I don’t think Salman Agha is cut out for this job as a captain: Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has slammed the Pakistan skipper, Salman Ali Agha, stating that his days as the captain are numbered after the side’s two-wicket defeat to England in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Speaking exclusively on a Pakistani sports show, Game On Hai, Shoaib Akhtar has termed Salman Agha as ‘non-captaincy material’, adding that he was forced into the role as a ‘make-shift’ arrangement.

“The question I need to ask in three weeks’ time is whether Agha will remain team captain. If you (Pakistan Cricket Board and think tank) had any long-term vision, you wouldn’t have to make this decision three weeks from now. I don’t think he is cut out for this job as a captain. And if you are expecting a miracle from him, or comparing him to someone like Harry Brook—I am so sorry,” Akhtar said on the Game On Hai show.

“Looking at him tactically, he is not captaincy material. He was forced into the role as a ‘make-shift’ arrangement, and now the reality is right in front of you. How many more mistakes will he make?” he questioned.

Interestingly, Usman Tariq was introduced into the attack in the eighth over while England lost three quick wickets in the powerplay overs, giving more time to settle for Harry Brook, which raised eyebrows.

“If he isn’t giving Usman Tariq the sixth over, how much ‘rocket science’ do you need? We have all played the game; we all understand cricket. But again, I don’t think he is cut out for this, and I don’t see him remaining captain in six weeks’ time. What will happen is that the entire blame will now be shifted onto Salman Agha. The management will quietly slip away, and those who appointed him will escape accountability. This is exactly why you pick a ‘weak’ person for the job. You want weak people in high positions so that when it’s time to fire someone, you can easily pin the blame on them. Now, they will dump the failure of the entire World Cup on Salman’s shoulders. That is how history repeats itself,” he concluded.

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