Pakistan’s next cricket captain has intensified after recent comments from former players. The name Shadab Khan has surfaced in reports as a possible future leader of the national team. However, several former cricketers have expressed strong reservations about the idea.
The debate gained momentum after Pakistan’s narrow defeat to England in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match. The match took place on February 24 and ended with England winning by two wickets.
Pakistan had set a target of 165 runs. England successfully chased the total, largely due to a brilliant century by Harry Brook. His aggressive batting shifted the momentum in England’s favor.
Following the loss, many analysts started reviewing Pakistan’s decisions and player performances. Some critics pointed to Babar Azam’s slow innings during the match. Others questioned the team management’s decision to leave spinner Abrar Ahmed out of the playing XI.
All-rounder Shadab Khan also faced criticism for his performance. Observers noted that he conceded several runs during the middle overs. This stage of the match is often considered crucial for building pressure on the opposition.
Cricket analysts said the inability to control the scoring rate allowed Harry Brook to settle at the crease. Once he gained confidence, the England batter dominated the innings.
Former Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad also commented on the situation. He stated that Shadab Khan leaked runs at a critical stage when Pakistan needed tighter bowling.
Despite these concerns, some reports suggest that Shadab could be considered for future leadership roles. This possibility has surprised several cricket observers and former players.
Speaking on ARY News’ sports show Har Lamha Purjosh, former captain Shoaib Malik shared his views on the matter. Malik suggested that leadership issues have followed Shadab since his time with Islamabad United.
He claimed that Shadab sometimes takes independent decisions, which can affect team balance and stability. Malik also hinted that the reports about his captaincy might have been circulated to test public opinion.
Former cricketer Basit Ali also voiced strong opposition. He referred to Shadab’s previous captaincy during a series against Afghanistan in the UAE.
Basit said the early announcement of the team created unnecessary controversy before Pakistan lost the series.
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According to Basit Ali, Shadab Khan should not be considered for the captaincy at this stage. The debate about Pakistan’s future leadership is expected to continue as the team reviews its performance in the tournament.
