Pakistan T20I Squad Announced: Salman Ali Agha to Lead vs Bangladesh

Pakistan Announces T20I Squad for Bangladesh Series with Salman Ali Agha as Captain

Lahore, May 21, 2025 – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a new-look T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh, with Salman Ali Agha confirmed to continue as the team’s captain. The 16-member squad reflects the selectors' emphasis on form and domestic performance, particularly in the ongoing HBL PSL X, which concludes later this month.

This T20I assignment is also significant as it marks the beginning of Mike Hesson’s tenure as the head coach of the national side, bringing a fresh tactical vision to Pakistan’s white-ball cricket setup.

A Fresh Core Under Salman Ali Agha’s Leadership

The most notable aspect of this squad is the continuity of Salman Ali Agha’s captaincy, showing the PCB's growing trust in his leadership. With Shadab Khan named vice-captain, the team retains a combination of youth and experience in the leadership group. Salman’s calm presence and Shadab’s dynamic field leadership are expected to complement each other during this home series.

The three-match series against Bangladesh will be played entirely at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with the match schedule to be finalized and released shortly.

Selection Based on PSL Performance

The selection committee has made it clear that performances in the HBL PSL X played a major role in determining the squad. Emerging talents like Muhammad Irfan Khan and Hassan Nawaz find themselves rewarded for impressive outings in the tournament. Irfan’s aggressive stroke-play and Nawaz’s calm finishing ability give Pakistan depth in the middle order.

Also making a return are familiar faces like Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, and Hasan Ali, ensuring there’s enough experience to support the younger brigade. Mohammad Haris and Sahibzada Farhan are the designated wicketkeepers, with Haris’ explosive batting being a strong asset at the top.

Among the bowlers, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf spearhead the pace attack, backed by Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Faheem Ashraf, and Hasan Ali. The spin department will revolve around Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, and Khushdil Shah, giving the team both attacking and defensive options.

New Era Begins Under Mike Hesson

This series also officially kicks off the Mike Hesson era in Pakistan cricket, with the former New Zealand and RCB coach expected to bring strategic discipline and analytical depth. Hesson is known for building strong team cultures and extracting the best from young squads, and his influence will be closely watched during this initial assignment.

Hesson’s track record of developing white-ball teams, especially in T20 leagues, will be crucial for Pakistan as they prepare for a long calendar of international and franchise cricket. His presence also signifies PCB’s intent to modernize and professionalize the national team's operations on and off the field.

Opportunity for Redemption and Experimentation

After an inconsistent international T20 run in the past year, Pakistan will use this Bangladesh series to test bench strength and finalize key roles ahead of the ICC T20 cycle. Players like Saim Ayub, Hussain Talat, and Khushdil Shah have all shown glimpses of brilliance but will now need to convert those into consistent international performances.

This series also presents a valuable opportunity to define Pakistan’s ideal T20 combination, especially in home conditions. With the Gaddafi Stadium likely to offer flat surfaces, batters will be under the spotlight, and finishing strength will be a key area to watch.

16-Member Squad in Full

The squad announced features the following players:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub