The Pakistan cricket team continues to operate without an official vice-captain, as uncertainty looms over the return of all-rounder Shadab Khan. Since the conclusion of the Bangladesh tour, no player has been appointed to fill the vice-captain role, and the trend appears set to continue for the upcoming series against the West Indies.
Head coach Mike Hesson, who shares a strong rapport with Shadab from their time together at Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), is believed to be holding off on naming a deputy captain until Shadab is available again. Sources indicate that it was Hesson who advised against appointing a vice-captain during the Bangladesh tour, anticipating Shadab’s return—though that now appears unlikely before October.
In the ODI setup, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been leading with Salman Ali Agha serving as his unofficial deputy. However, the overall leadership structure remains undefined, particularly in the T20I format.
Reports suggest internal disagreements within the selection committee may be complicating Shadab’s path back into the leadership group. One “influential selector” is reportedly opposed to Shadab’s return, citing past incidents where the all-rounder allegedly acted beyond his role—altering the batting order and advocating for the inclusion of specific players. The selector is said to prefer Salman Ali Agha for his “non-political” approach and focus on performance.
Shadab’s ties with Islamabad United and Mike Hesson have further fueled concerns among some stakeholders, who believe he may be leveraging that relationship for leadership influence.
With Shadab unlikely to be fit in time for the Asia Cup 2025, his absence continues to cast uncertainty over the vice-captaincy. Whether a new deputy will be named for the high-stakes tournament remains unclear.