The 2025 Asia Cup, starting on September 9th, is poised for a different feel, not only due to a changed format but also because several prominent players will be absent. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired from T20s, and Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were not selected. This situation places a heavy burden on the new captain of Pakistan, who is relatively new to international acclaim.
The Pakistan Cricket Board announced its squad for the Asia Cup on August 17th, excluding Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. All-rounder Salman Ali Agha was named captain, having been part of the team for the past two to three years. Agha debuted in the T20 format in November 2024 and has now assumed the captaincy. His career, thus far, has not delivered major performances that have brought him substantial international recognition.
Salman, a right-handed batsman and off-spinner, bats in the middle order for Pakistan. His T20 statistics show 20 matches played, with 380 runs at an average of 27 and a strike rate of 115, including three half-centuries. He has also taken 4 wickets. His overall T20 record shows 105 matches, 1668 runs at a strike rate of 120, and 44 wickets.
Despite these statistics, Salman will be leading Pakistan against India. He hasn’t played a T20 match against India. He has played 3 ODIs, including 2 in the 2023 Asia Cup, in which he scored just 42 runs.
One of these matches saw Ravindra Jadeja cause a significant injury to Salman. During a match on September 11th, Salman attempted a sweep shot against Jadeja. However, without wearing a helmet, the ball struck his face, causing a deep wound and bleeding. This injury forced Salman to miss the following games.