Pakistan may have missed out in the third T20I against Sri Lanka in Dambulla, but captain Salman Ali Agha produced a blistering assault that still made headlines, setting a rare T20I record for captains.
Chasing 198, Pakistan ultimately fell short by 14 runs, with the series ending 1-1. However, Agha’s cameo turned the run chase into a dramatic finish as he smashed 45 off just 12 balls, striking at a staggering 375.0.
That strike rate is now the highest ever recorded in a T20I innings by a captain (minimum 10 balls faced, matches between full-member teams), moving Agha ahead of former West Indies powerhouse Kieron Pollard, who previously held the benchmark.
Salman Ali Agha, primarily known as an off-spin all-rounder, showed a different side of his game in the closing overs, hammering five fours and three sixes in an innings that underlined his growing value as a batting force, not just a bowling option.
With Pakistan already looking ahead to the 2026 T20 World Cup, the knock is being viewed as another sign that Agha is evolving into a more complete, impact-driven leader in the shortest format.
Highest Strike Rate in a T20I Innings by a Captain
Captain
Strike Rate
Runs (Balls)
Opposition
Year
Salman Ali Agha
375.0
45 (12)
Sri Lanka
2026
Kieron Pollard
345.5
38 (11)
Sri Lanka
2021
Quinton de Kock
295.5
65 (22)
England
2020
Rohit Sharma
274.4
118 (43)
Sri Lanka
2017
Darren Sammy
261.5
34* (13)
Australia
2014
