Tag: Salman Ali Agha

KARACHI: Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has indicated that he could step away from the shorter format for a period as he looks to manage his workload and refocus on long-term goals, particularly the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027.

Speaking after Karachi Kings’ clash against Islamabad United in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, the Pakistan T20I captain opened up about his recent struggles and evolving priorities across formats.

Agha admitted that his performances in both franchise and international cricket have not met expectations, prompting him to reassess his approach moving forward.

“There is a lot of concern. I have been thinking that my T20 World Cup did not go the way I wanted, and my PSL has also not been as good as I expected,” he said during the post-match press conference.

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The right-handed batter highlighted that Pakistan do not have a packed T20I calendar in the coming months, which could allow him the flexibility to shift focus towards red-ball and 50-over cricket after the PSL concludes.

“I think the World Cup 2027 is still far away. And we don’t have T20Is until December, so after this PSL, the focus will naturally move towards ODIs and Test matches,” he added.

“If I feel that taking a break from T20s will help me prepare better for the ODI World Cup, then I will definitely consider it.”

Salman Ali Agha underlined the significance of the 50-over World Cup in shaping his career ambitions, making it clear that he is prepared to make tough decisions if it enhances his chances of performing on the global stage.

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“The 50-over World Cup is always very special for any player, and it will be special for me as well. If I have to do anything, I will do it to perform well,” he stated.

The upcoming 2027 edition of the tournament is scheduled to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with 14 teams set to compete across multiple venues.

Currently featuring in his first PSL season for Karachi Kings, Agha has endured a modest run, scoring 84 runs in six matches at an average of 14.00, while also picking up three wickets. His struggles were also evident during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where he managed just 60 runs in six innings.

READ: PSL 11: Glenn Maxwell creates history with rare T20 milestone

Karachi Kings top-order batter Salman Ali Agha blamed the lack of execution for his side’s eight-wicket defeat to Islamabad United in the 25th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11. 

Kings endured a difficult outing against United, as they were completely outplayed across all departments of the game.

Asked to bat first, Karachi Kings scored 150-6 in 20 overs. Reeza Hendricks remained the top-scorer with 51 from 44 balls, including four boundaries.

Islamabad United chased down the 151-run target in 16 overs, thanks to composed half-centuries from Sameer Minhas and Devon Conway.

Agha reflected on the shortcomings in the post-match press conference, rueing the lackluster performance in every department of the game.

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“We have not played good cricket in all departments,” he told reporters.

“We have won three matches and lost three as well. We still have four matches left, and with one win and one loss, momentum could shift, ” he continued.

The 32-year-old also revealed the reason behind the change in his regular batting spot.

“I am also playing at number three for my franchise team. Because of the left and right-hand combination, I changed my batting position today,” the 32-year-old explained.

Salman Ali Agha mentioned that they might have scored between 170 and 180 runs and could have capitalized on the fielding restrictions.

“We probably did not take momentum from the powerplay. In my opinion, we should have scored around 170 runs. We could not stick to our plans. If we had taken wickets in the powerplay, the result could have been different,” he remarked.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Salman Ali Agha is not having a great tournament, as he has only managed 84 runs in six matches so far.

“I am not converting my twenties into bigger scores, which I should be doing. I know my PSL has not gone well after the T20 World Cup,” he admitted while hinting that he might take a rest from the limited-overs cricket in a bid to focus on the ODI World Cup.

“This year, Pakistan does not have much T20 cricket. If I have to take rest from T20s for the ODI World Cup, I can think about it.  I think a 50-over World Cup is off great importance for every player,” Agha concluded.

READ: Moeen Ali rues batting display after defeat to Islamabad United

KANDY: Former Pakistan women’s captain Urooj Mumtaz has expressed serious reservations over men’s leadership options following the side’s exit from the T20 World Cup 2026, admitting she is “clueless” about a ready-made successor to current skipper Salman Ali Agha.

Pakistan’s campaign ended despite a spirited five-run win over Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight fixture.

The 2009 champions had entered the contest knowing that victory alone would not be enough; they required a commanding margin to surpass New Zealand’s superior net run rate (NRR) and qualify for the semi-finals.

Posting 212-8 in 20 overs, Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or below. Although they clinched a narrow win, the bowlers failed to defend the required margin, sealing Pakistan’s fourth successive ICC tournament exit before the semi-final stage.

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, Urooj Mumtaz said Pakistan’s current pool of players does not offer an obvious long-term captaincy solution.

“I have a question mark,” she said when asked about the T20I leadership.

“I look down the list of 20 players that Pakistan has right now, and there’s nobody really there who screams ‘captain’ to me. Or someone you pen down and say, ‘right, he’s playing all games and fits in as player number one in all games, no matter what the conditions are.’”

While she acknowledged the impressive batting form of Sahibzada Farhan, she stopped short of endorsing him for the role.

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“Yes, Sahibzada Farhan, in his current form, is brilliant. I don’t think he is captain material just yet,” she added.

Mumtaz also pointed out that several senior players have already had their opportunities as the T20I captain of Pakistan, so they should not be considered again.

“Shadab [Khan] has been through that cycle, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been through that cycle, Babar Azam has been through that cycle. So I am very clueless right now,” she remarked.

On Shadab Khan, she noted that while he had previously shown interest in captaincy, his recent all-round returns against top opposition have not been convincing.

“I think he has a lot to prove in terms of his all-round cricketing ability. He is very short at this moment in terms of his batting and bowling against top-quality sides,” she said.

With Agha himself stating after the match that he will not make an immediate decision about stepping down, Urooj Mumtaz believes continuity might be the only practical route, at least for now.

“Unless you literally say ‘Sahibzada Farhan, two-year cycle, away you go’ or somebody like Saim Ayub, who I don’t think will be dropped for long and deserves a place in that XI — apart from that I don’t see any captain material,” she said.

“So, unless Pakistan has got a succession plan in place, probably continue with Salman Ali Agha till they find a replacement.”

READ: Kamran Akmal blames lack of T20 evolution for Pakistan’s World Cup exit

KANDY: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has addressed his captaincy future following his side’s elimination from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, despite a narrow win over Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight fixture on Saturday.

The 2009 champions entered the contest knowing that victory alone would not suffice; they needed a massive margin to overhaul New Zealand’s superior net run rate (NRR) and join England in the semi-finals.

Pakistan posted an imposing 212-8 in their 20 overs and went on to secure a five-run win. However, they were required to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or below to qualify. Falling short of that benchmark meant their campaign ended at the Super Eight stage.

Reflecting on the tournament, Salman Ali Agha did not shy away from criticism, admitting that Pakistan underperformed across departments.

“If I have to sum up the whole tournament, I think we played below-average cricket,” he said at the post-match press conference.

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“We couldn’t bat well throughout the tournament. If Sahibzada Farhan had more support, it would have been better. The middle order has been a problem for a few years now, and we’ll have to look at that.”

He also stated that both he and head coach Mike Hesson would take full responsibility for the team’s performance.

“We haven’t qualified for the semi-finals in the last four ICC tournaments because we haven’t made the right decisions at crucial moments. The coach and I will take full responsibility for this performance,” he said.

Salman Ali Agha also made it clear that he will not make an immediate decision on his captaincy.

“If I decide about my captaincy right now, it would be an emotional decision. I will go back, take a few days, and then see what decision I make,” he said.

READ: Daren Sammy hopes to repeat 2016 script in India T20 World Cup clash

Former all-rounder Shahid Afridi believes Shadab Khan will not be a bad choice to captain Pakistan’s T20I team, emphasizing that consistent performances will be key if he is to lead the team following the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Currently, Salman Ali Agha is leading the side in the shorter format. The 2009 champions are on the brink of elimination after losing to England in the Super Eight.

Shahid Afridi shared his views on the captaincy while talking on a private channel.

“If the same coach [Mike Hesson] continues, then in my opinion, Shadab Khan will be appointed as captain,” he remarked.

The 27-year-old backed Shadab Khan amid limited options to lead the side.

“Shadab is not a bad choice for captaincy because we do not have many other options at the moment,” he continued

“However, if Shadab had maintained consistency in his bowling, the way he was performing earlier, it would have strengthened his case,” Afridi explained.

The 48-year-old linked better performances from Shadab with leadership responsibility.

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“As captain, we also need him to contribute regularly with his performances so that when someone talks about him, it will be worth mentioning.  Appoint him as captain, but he will have to perform,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Salman Ali Agha was appointed the captain of the Pakistan T20I side in March 2025, replacing wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan.

Under his leadership, Pakistan played 49 T20Is, winning 30 and losing 18. His win percentage record is 61.22.

Pakistan played 49 T20Is under his captaincy, winning 30 and losing 18, with a win rate of 61.22%. Despite this, they failed to claim the Asia Cup 2025, losing four times to arch-rivals India.

However, Pakistan struggled in major matches, particularly against arch-rivals India, whom they faced four times- three in the Asia Cup, including the final, and one in the T20 World Cup 2026.

READ: Clinical England restrict New Zealand to modest total

COLOMBO: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has expressed confidence ahead of their Super Eight clash against New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan will play their first match in the Super Eight against New Zealand on Saturday, February 21.

Speaking after the match, Agha emphasized batting in the opening overs of the game and highlighted the team’s strong finish in the final overs.

“I think it has to be a complete performance. I think we batted well in powerplay, we started really well in the powerplay, and in the middle, we put partnerships on, and then we finished well,” said Agha at the post-match presentation.

“Sahibzada has been outstanding. The way he’s been batting for us for the last six months, he’s just batting really well, and he scored 100 today. I’m very happy for him,” he said.

He also lavished praise on Usman Tariq, mentioning that their performance with the ball was effective and determined.

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“And when it comes to the ball, I think we were lethal, and we were ruthless. We bowled in the right area, whether it’s a fast bowler or a spinner. I think it was a complete performance for us,” Salman Ali Agha explained.

“Trust me, it’s tough. He is a tough bowler to face. Whenever I have played him in domestic, I find it very hard because he’s someone who’s very, very tough to pick, and then when he has a pause. It becomes very, very difficult.”

The 32-year-old concluded that Pakistan and New Zealand are playing good cricket, believing that if they continued performing at their current level in the next game, they would be successful.

“I think we have been playing really good cricket. New Zealand have been playing good cricket. So, I’m guessing it will be a good game. And I think the way we are playing right now, if we replicate that kind of performance in the next game, I think we’ll be fine,” the skipper concluded.

READ: India edge spirited Netherlands in T20 World Cup clash

COLOMBO: Skipper Salman Ali Agha admitted that Pakistan’s poor execution proved costly as they slumped to a big defeat against arch-rivals India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the RPS Stadium on Sunday.

Pakistan were outplayed by India in all departments, handing them 61 run defeat.

Ishan Kishan starred with the bat, scoring 77 runs from 40 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes.

In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs, extending India’s record to nine wins in T20 World Cups.

The Green Shirts have defeated India only once at a mega event in 2021.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Agha highlighted the match’s shortcomings, noting that the powerplay proved costly to the outcome.

“We went with four spinners, they had an off-day. Execution was missing in some parts. With the bat, we did not start well. If you lose 3-4 wickets in the powerplay, you are always chasing the game,” he said.

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“In the first innings, it was a bit tacky, and the ball was gripping too. The pitch played better in the second innings but we did not bowl according to the situation and we did not apply ourselves with the bat,” the captain added.

He hoped for better performance in the forthcoming game, saying they were looking forward to the Namibia clash.

“In these games, the emotions are always going to be high, we just need to deal with it. We have played enough (of these games), we have a game in a couple of days, and we have to look forward to it. We need to win that and qualify. Then it is a new tournament,” he concluded.

READ: T20 World Cup: Pakistan register unique spin record against India

COLOMBO: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has voiced admiration for India’s opener Abhishek Sharma ahead of their marquee showdown in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, expressing hope that the left-hander recovers in time to feature in Sunday’s contest.

Speaking on the eve of the high-voltage encounter at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Agha made it clear that Pakistan want to test themselves against India at full strength, underlining Sharma’s growing stature in international cricket.

“Abhishek is obviously a quality player. I hope he’s recovering well and is available because we want to compete against the best team they have,” Agha said during the pre-match press conference.

The Indian opener had missed his side’s previous outing after being hospitalised with a stomach infection, though India still secured a commanding 93-run victory over Namibia.

Sharma has enjoyed notable success against Pakistan, scoring 110 runs in three matches at a striking rate of 189.65, making his availability a key talking point ahead of the clash.

Addressing another subject, Salman Ali Agha dismissed ongoing chatter around the bowling action of spinner Usman Tariq, reiterating that he has already been cleared.

“There has been talk about Usman Tariq’s action, but he has been cleared twice. I don’t know why the discussion continues. It does not affect him at all,” the skipper stated.

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The Pakistan captain also emphasised collective responsibility within the squad, highlighting the importance of flexibility and bench strength.

“We are ready to play good cricket. We understand the conditions and the pitch. All 15 players are important, and anyone can play,” he said, confirming that the final XI will be decided after assessing the surface.

Reflecting on Pakistan’s historical struggles against India in World Cups, Salman Ali Agha admitted the past has not always been favourable but stressed that the team is focused on learning and improving.

“Our record hasn’t been great, but we have learned from history and will try to play well tomorrow,” he noted.

When asked about India’s strong batting lineup and the form of Babar Azam, Agha remained calm and confident, insisting Pakistan are focused on their own execution.

“Babar is scoring runs, and it is not a concern for us. Hopefully, he continues tomorrow as well,” he said with a composed smile.

READ: Lorcan Tucker helps Ireland crush Oman at T20 World Cup 2026

COLOMBO: Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha stressed the importance of bowling better in the Powerplay despite a resounding 32-run win over the USA in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan outplayed USA by 20 runs in their second match of the mega event while chasing a daunting 191.

Sahibzada Farhan starred with the bat, scoring 73 from 41 balls. His batting performance was backed by a disciplined bowling display with Usman Tariq taking three wickets.

Babar Azam and Shadab Khan also chipped in with the bat, powering Pakistan to a strong total of 190-9.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Agha lauded a resounding performance, noting that they have quality bowlers in the lineup who could defend totals.

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“Clinical performance, we started well with the bat and batted really well in the middle. When we come to bowling, we have a world-class attack and scoring 190, we know we could defend that,” he remarked.

“I would have batted as well, if we score 160-170, we know we can defend that. We are Pakistani, we do it differently. We are comfortable chasing, but we try to bat first and put up above par, then try to defend,” he added.

The skipper emphasized the middle-order, stressing the need to bowl better in the Powerplay.

“We have a flexible order, first three ready to go and then finishers can go early, or if we lose wickets we have batters who can take the game deeper. Always room for improvement, we’d like to bowl better in the powerplay, be more clinical. These are the things we want to improve,” he explained.

Pakistan will play their next fixture against India at RPS, Colombo on Sunday, February 15.

READ: T20 World Cup: New Zealand suffer major injury blow

COLOMBO: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, on Friday, emphasised that team selection will be determined strictly by merit, with no senior player, including Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, guaranteed a spot in the Playing XI.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Pakistan’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 against the Netherlands, Agha emphasised that the team’s priority is to field the combination best suited to winning.

“We have arrived as a 15-member squad, and we will try to play the combination that is best for the team. Even if a senior player, whether Fakhar or Babar, does not fit into the combination, we will not play them,” he said.

“Fakhar and Babar have given great performances for Pakistan for years. I fully support them, but we will make the Playing XI only based on what is good for the team.”

Agha also expressed confidence in the team’s preparation and mindset, insisting there is no pressure ahead of the opening games.

“Our preparation has been very good. We will try to win every match and believe we can lift the World Cup,” he added.

The captain also voiced frustration over off-field topics dominating press conferences, calling for discussions to remain focused on cricket.

“Lately, there have been too many questions that are not about cricket. We are here as sportsmen and want to talk only about the game. We try to keep our focus on cricket and not let outside factors affect us,” he said.

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Salman Ali Agha acknowledged that the weather could be a factor in Sri Lanka, but insisted it was beyond the team’s control.

“You cannot fight the weather or rain; it is not in our control. What is in our control is our performance, and we will try to deliver in all matches. Our focus is on winning our games,” he said.

He also backed spinner Usman Tariq, whose bowling action has come under scrutiny, calling him an X-factor for Pakistan.

“I don’t understand why there is so much talk about his action. His action has already been cleared twice. Usman Tariq is an X-factor for us, and we will use him whenever we feel we need him,” Agha said.

The captain confirmed he will continue to bat at number three.

“I am performing well at number three, so I will continue to bat there. There is no need to change it,” he said.

On the strategy against the Netherlands, the Pakistan captain highlighted the importance of executing plans against teams Pakistan does not face regularly.

“We do not play against teams like the Netherlands very often, so we must remain careful. We have played good cricket over the past six months, and now it is about executing our plans,” he concluded.

READ: Colombo weather update ahead of Pakistan vs Netherlands