Pakistan T20I Captaincy News: It has been revealed that all-rounder Shadab Khan was initially considered for the T20I captaincy during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials rejected the proposal. Instead, Salman Ali Agha was appointed as captain, aligning with the board’s policy of giving opportunities to new players ahead of the T20 World Cup next year.

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Pakistan T20I Captaincy News: Consultation with Mentors

The PCB consulted several team mentors before selecting the squad for the New Zealand tour. These mentors included Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Shoaib Malik. The consultation aimed to address concerns and ensure a balanced team for the upcoming challenges. After discussions, the selectors initially suggested Shadab Khan for the T20I captaincy, citing his experience as Islamabad United’s leader in the PSL and his ability to guide young players.

Pakistan T20I Captaincy News: Shadab’s Captaincy Rejected

Despite Shadab Khan’s leadership experience, PCB officials rejected the idea of appointing him as T20I captain. They questioned how a player who wasn’t consistently part of the squad could take on such a significant role. Instead, Salman Ali Agha, a regular player in other formats, was named captain, with Shadab appointed as vice-captain.

Struggles in New Zealand Series

Pakistan faced a challenging series against New Zealand, suffering a 1-4 defeat. Their only victory came in the third match, with Hasan Nawaz’s century contributing to the win. Salman Ali Agha was Pakistan’s top scorer in the series, accumulating 167 runs at an average of 41.75. On the other hand, Shadab Khan struggled, managing only 58 runs in five matches at an average of 14.50. He also took just one wicket at a bowling average of 143.

Focus on Young Talent

Despite the series defeat, PCB remains committed to nurturing young players in preparation for the T20 World Cup. The board believes these players better align with modern cricket demands. Usman Khan, who is being consistently included in the squad, has yet to deliver strong performances. However, he showed promise by scoring 39 runs in the first ODI against New Zealand, building an 83-run partnership with Abdullah Shafique.

Opening Pair Strategy for Champions Trophy

Before the Pakistan-India Champions Trophy match in February, a senior PCB official advised captain Mohammad Rizwan and coach Aaqib Javed to open with Usman Khan, given Fakhar Zaman’s injury. Usman’s familiarity with the UAE conditions was expected to make him a significant threat to India with his aggressive batting. However, this suggestion was ignored, and Imam-ul-Haq was sent to open with Babar Azam instead. Imam struggled, scoring just 10 runs off 26 balls, while Babar, returning to his preferred No. 3 position, scored 78 runs in the first ODI against New Zealand.

Changes in Opening Pair Due to Injury

Given the circumstances and Usman Khan’s recent injury, it is likely that Usman and Abdullah Shafique will continue as Pakistan’s opening pair in upcoming matches. However, with Usman now injured, Pakistan will need to find a new opening pair for their upcoming fixtures.

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