New Delhi: Ahead of the much-awaited ICC T20 World Cup 2026, a routine tradition of the tournament has unexpectedly turned into a major talking point. The ICC recently conducted an official captains’ photoshoot, but instead of building excitement, it triggered a controversy on social media after the Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha was allegedly missing from a photo shared by the Afghanistan Cricket Board.
The incident quickly sparked debates online, with many fans questioning whether Afghanistan intentionally ignored the Pakistan skipper. However, the reality behind the situation was different and far less dramatic than it initially appeared.
Why the Captains’ Photoshoot Was Held in Two Locations
As per ICC tradition, captains from all participating nations pose together with the World Cup trophy before the tournament begins. But since the T20 World Cup 2026 is being jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the ICC faced logistical challenges in gathering all 20 captains at one venue.
To manage travel constraints, the ICC conducted the photoshoot at two separate locations:
- Mumbai (India)
- Colombo (Sri Lanka)
Some teams and captains were present in Mumbai, while others were in Colombo. Due to the distance between the two host countries, it was not possible to bring everyone together physically at one place.
Afghanistan’s Social Media Post Triggers Debate
After the photoshoot, the Afghanistan Cricket Board posted an image on social media showing only 12 captains standing together. Fans immediately noticed that Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha was missing from the frame.
This led to widespread speculation online, with some users claiming Afghanistan had deliberately avoided including the Pakistani captain in the post.
The post went viral, and the debate intensified, creating unnecessary tension just before the start of the tournament.
What Actually Happened?
The truth is that the photo shared by Afghanistan was only from the Mumbai photoshoot session, which featured the captains who were physically present there. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha was not included simply because he was in Colombo, attending the other photoshoot session.
Therefore, his absence was purely due to location and scheduling, not because of any political or personal reason.
ICC Releases the Complete 20-Captain Frame
As the confusion continued to grow, the ICC stepped in to clarify matters. The governing body later released an official edited image that included all 20 captains together in a single frame, standing with the T20 World Cup trophy.
Using digital and creative editing techniques, the ICC combined the Mumbai and Colombo sessions into one “perfect frame,” putting an end to the controversy and clearing the air on social media.
T20 World Cup 2026 Set for High-Voltage Action
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is set to be one of the biggest editions of the tournament, with 20 teams participating. It is only the second time in history that the World Cup is being played on such a large scale.
India will enter the tournament as the defending champions, determined to retain the title on home soil, while strong contenders like Australia and South Africa are also expected to pose serious challenges.
The final is scheduled to be played on March 8.
All Eyes on India vs Pakistan Clash
The most anticipated match of the tournament is undoubtedly the high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash on February 15. However, uncertainty has surrounded the fixture due to political statements and reports of boycott threats from Pakistan’s side.
Despite this, ICC and cricket fans worldwide remain hopeful that the blockbuster encounter will take place as scheduled.
Conclusion
What started as a routine captains’ photoshoot turned into a viral controversy due to a misunderstanding on social media. But with the ICC releasing the complete official frame featuring all 20 captains, the issue has now been settled.
With the tournament just hours away, the focus has shifted back to cricket — where it truly belongs.
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