[WATCH] ‘‘Khud kaptaani chhodenge ya PCB hatayega?’ – Salman Ali Agha responds to journalist’s query as Pakistan crash out of T20 World Cup

Pakistan’s campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026 ended in disappointment even after beating Sri Lanka in their last Super 8 encounter, due to their poor net run rate. They had to restrict the co-hosts under 147 to trump the Kiwis on Net Run Rate. 

Following that, their captain Salman Ali Agha has found himself under intense scrutiny. The Men in Green have failed to qualify for the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive ICC tournament, after the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Former Pakistan cricketers including Mohammad Hafeez, Basit Ali, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Amir, and Shoaib Akhtar publicly questioned some of his decisions during the tournament, which has added pressure on him.

The pressure rose during the post-match press conference when a journalist bluntly asked whether he would relinquish captaincy voluntarily or will wait to be removed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Agha had a calm response to the query.

“I think we haven’t played as well as we should have in the World Cup. Right now, I think any decision taken right now will be emotional. We will go back and take some time and then make the required decision,” he was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

While Agha managed to ignore the first question with a rather calm answer, another reporter asked an even more direct question: whether he was being treated as a dummy captain under head coach Mike Hesson. The reporter asked the Pakistan captain about Hesson’s methods and whether the coach is trying to overpower the captain in the decision making of the team. The 32-year-old seemingly got angry, still managing to answer the question gracefully.

“The problem is that if I don’t answer this, you will take disrespect. But sir, listen to me. When a team is formed, it is a team game. It is not formed by one person’s decision. It is the result of the decisions of all stakeholders. Babar had a different role in this World Cup,” he responded.

With Pakistan’s campaign ending in yet another ICC heartbreak, the spotlight will be on what decisions does Pakistan cricket’s governing body take.