Former Cricketer Basit Ali Predicts Salman Ali Agha as Future Test Captain of Pakistan

Karachi:Former Pakistani cricketer **Basit Ali** has stirred cricketing circles by predicting that **all-rounder Salman Ali Agha** will soon take over as the **Test captain** of the national team, completing leadership across all three formats.

Basit made the bold claim via a post on social media platform **X (formerly Twitter)**, where he shared a photo of Salman with the caption: *”Congratulations on the red-ball captaincy too—one captain for all formats!”*

Salman Ali Agha, who recently led Pakistan to a **3-0 T20 series victory against Bangladesh**, is currently serving as **vice-captain in Tests** and has already assumed full **T20 leadership**. His recent performances and growing leadership role have made him a **strong contender** for the **Test captaincy**, potentially replacing **Saud Shakeel**.

Although the **Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)** has yet to issue an official statement, Basit Ali’s comments have sparked significant debate within cricketing circles. Reports suggest that **two main candidates** are being considered for the Test captaincy: **Salman Ali Agha and Saud Shakeel**.

The current Test captain, **Shan Masood**, was appointed in **November 2023**, but under his leadership, Pakistan has struggled—winning only **3 out of 12 Tests**, and suffering **9 defeats**. The national side also **finished last** in the **ICC World Test Championship standings**, facing whitewashes against **Australia, Bangladesh**, and **South Africa**.

With Pakistan’s Test performance in dire need of a turnaround, leadership change appears imminent—and Salman Ali Agha could soon find himself at the helm in red-ball cricket as well.