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New Delhi: Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan is expected to lead the side in the T20 format instead of Salman Ali Agha. The seasoned player is set to make a comeback to the national team after completing his rehabilitation program next month form a shoulder surgery. He had suffered a shoulder injury in England earlier in the year.
The senior campaigner has represented Pakistan in 70 ODI matches and 112 T20 internationals and boasts a fine record in both the formats. He last played in a home series against Bangladesh in early June before having his shoulder injury. His return would be a significant boost to the Pakistan team and he is likely to replace Salman Ali Agha as the national T20 captain.
But why has the Pakistan Cricket Board decided to rope in Khan as the skipper in the shortest format when they decided to retain Salman as the captain in the T20s even after losing the finale against arch-rivals India. Notably, Pakistan lost thrice in the continental cup against Men in Blue. Before his surgery, Shadab was the vice-captain of the side in the format.
It is being learnt that though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is completely behind Salman Ali Agha but they are looking for a captain who can serve them in the long time in T20s. For Pakistan Cricket, the name of Shadab has come up as the most obvious name considering the record of the 27-year-old cricketer.
Shadab has already led the side in T20 format and also holds a vast captaincy experience in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and domestic cricket. There was a lot of talk between the members of PCB after the Asia Cup in whether Salman justifies be a captain in the shortest format and also as a player because he produced a below-par performance in the event.
A report in news agency PTI mentions that Shadab would return to action in the bilateral home series against Sri Lanka between November 11 and 15 as his rehabilitation is going on well. Pakistan have planned number of T20 games to prepare for next year's World Cup with a home series against Australia finishing off their preparations in January.
