Jason Gillespie: “I’m sure he could handle captaincy across all formats”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie believes Salman Ali Agha is capable of captaining Pakistan in all three formats.
Salman currently leads the men in green in T20Is, but there is growing speculation that he may replace ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan and Test skipper Shan Masood soon.
While it remains to be seen if the 31-year-old will be entrusted with that much responsibility, Gillespie thinks he is capable of doing a good job.
“I’m sure he could handle captaincy across all formats,” the former Pakistan red-ball head coach told PakPassion.
Salman recently played for Islamabad United in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL) and accumulated 201 runs in nine matches at an average of 25.12 and a strike-rate of 136.73.
He followed that up with 90 runs in three T20Is against Bangladesh, which included a career-best knock of 56, at an average of 45 and a strike-rate of 155.17.
Afterwards, Pakistan toured Bangladesh and Salman proceeded to make 24 runs in three T20Is at an average of 12 and a strike-rate of 58.53.
The men in green travelled to the West Indies after this and Salman kicked off his tour with 49 runs in three T20Is at an average of 49 and a strike-rate of 113.95.
He then played in the ODI series, amassing 62 runs in three games at an average of 20.66.
As for the T20I tri-series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan, he ended up with 109 runs in five games, which included a top score of 53 not out, at an average of 27.25 and a strike-rate of 118.47.
Pakistan are now taking part in the 2025 Asia Cup, which is being played in the UAE.
In three games, Salman has mustered 23 runs at an average of 7.66 and a strike-rate of 57.50.
The men in green started their campaign with a 93-run win over Oman before suffering a seven-wicket defeat against India.
They fought back to take down the UAE by 41 runs, which secured their spot in the Super Four.
Pakistan’s next match will be against arch-rivals India on September 21 in Dubai.
Pakistan squad for UAE T20I tri-series and 2025 Asia Cup: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem
[TS_Poll id=”59″]