Last Updated:March 04, 2026, 18:35 IST
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met with T20I captain Salman Agha and ODI skipper Shaheen Afridi to discuss Pakistan’s poor 2026 T20 World Cup and the ODI series in Bangladesh.
Mohsin Naqvi (c) and the two Pakistani captains.
(AFP, PTI, AP)
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi reportedly held separate meetings with men’s T20I captain Salman Agha and ODI skipper Shaheen Afridi on Wednesday.
According to Geo News, Agha gave Naqvi a review of Pakistan’s poor 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, where they failed to reach the semi-finals. With Afridi, Naqvi reportedly discussed the squad for the upcoming three-ODI series in Bangladesh, which eventually saw big names like Babar Azam and Saim Ayub dropped.
The report said Agha even discussed his future in the team. Selected for the ODIs, Agha’s captaincy is under immense pressure after back-to-back failures in the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup. His personal batting performance in the latter was poor, too, bringing him in the cross-hairs for future change.
Pakistan don’t have a T20I series lined up in the near future with the ODIs against Bangladesh to be followed up with Tests against England.
Meanwhile, the PCB is reportedly set to appoint former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as the youngest Test head coach in the nation’s history. At 38 years old, the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman has been offered the role to lead Pakistan through a demanding ICC World Test Championship cycle, which includes upcoming tours of Bangladesh, the West Indies, and England.
Sarfaraz is expected to succeed interim coach Azhar Mahmood, whose tenure concluded by mutual consent following a 1-1 home series draw against South Africa.
This appointment marks a significant career pivot for Sarfaraz, who led Pakistan to the 2017 Champions Trophy title before being unceremoniously sacked and dropped in 2019. He has recently rebuilt his reputation within the PCB hierarchy by mentoring the Pakistan Shaheens and the Under-19 squads during the World Youth Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
With 54 Tests and extensive white-ball experience, Sarfaraz is now tasked with reversing Pakistan’s poor historical record in the WTC. His transition from a decorated player to a senior strategist represents a bold gamble by the board, leaning on his proven leadership pedigree and recent success with the country’s rising stars to revitalize the Test side’s fortunes on the global stage.
(With PTI inputs)
First Published:
March 04, 2026, 18:35 IST
News cricket Mohsin Naqvi Tightens Grip, Holds Separate Meetings With Shaheen Afridi, Salman AghaDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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