Table of Contents
Salman Ali Agha has reportedly been released from Pakistan's Test team amid their poor form against England in a three-match Test series. The decision to drop Agha from the team came after Pakistan's embarrassing 194-run defeat against the England National Cricket Team at Lord's.
On the evening of August 31, it is reported that the Pakistan team management has released Agha from the Test squad; therefore, he will not be available for the remaining match of the series, which will be in Birmingham. As of now, there is no official statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). If the reports prove true, then the batting all-rounder will not travel to Birmingham for the third and final Test match of the ongoing tour.
Salman Ali Agha has been released from Pakistan’s squad and will not travel to Birmingham. (BBN Sports) pic.twitter.com/LpwIv8VViT
— Salman. (@TsMeSalman1_) August 31, 2026
Salman Ali Agha was the stand-in captain when Babar Azam was injured
Only a few days ago, Agha was leading the Pakistan National Cricket Team in the absence of Babar Azam. Babar missed the first match of the series, which was in Leeds, because of an injury in his hand. With or without Babar Azam in the team, the results did not go in favor of the touring team. In back-to-back matches, the Men in Green went down against the Three Lions without offering any significant resistance. Apart from a few individual brilliances, the away team batters did nothing fruitful against Josh Tongue, Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson.
The decision to snub Salman Ali Agha divided the Pakistan cricket fans into two parts, as the question has been raised: why only Agha when every batter in the team performed poorly? The report sounds more surprising as only a few days ago the team management trusted him as the stand-in captain.
Salman Ali Agha's batting average in England is only 12.50
However, Agha has nothing to defend if the team management changed its mind. In the Leeds match, where he was the stopgap captain, the experienced batter scored only 14 and 6 runs. In the following match, which was at Lord's, Salman Ali Agha disappointed with 21 and 4-run knocks.
In two innings in England, his batting average is 12.50, with a highest score of 21, while Agha's overall batting average against England is 42.81, with four half-centuries and one century in the longest format of the game. After making his Test debut in 2022, the ongoing Test series in England is the first Test series in England fohich is so far proved an absolute flop.
2026 has not been going well for Salman Ali Agha
The 2026 season itself provides a hint about Agha's new low in his Test career. So far in the 2026 season, the middle-order batter has scored only 221 runs in 5 Tests and 9 innings, averaging only 24.55, while his overall batting average in the format is 36.34.
The third and final Test match of the ongoing England vs Pakistan series is scheduled to start on September 9 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. England is already leading the three-match series by 2-0.
