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Salman Ali Agha speaking during the pre-match press conference ahead of an important clash against India tomorrow:
About big boundary lines and the role of spinners:
“It’s possible that spinners will dominate here. But fast bowlers will definitely have their role too, because fast bowling is a skill you can’t write off anywhere. Their role always remains, so I believe they will have an impact here as well. We have quite a few spinners, but we also have fast bowlers whom we can use whenever needed.”
About Usman Tariq as ta rump card in the game and about his action:
“For us, all players are equal. It’s you people who have made Usman Tariq such a big topic. For us, he’s just one of the 15 players. Obviously, he’s been bowling very well in recent months, even in league cricket before playing for Pakistan. So yes, we can say he’s definitely a trump card for us.”
“It doesn’t affect him at all. Ever since he started playing cricket, these talks have been around him. He doesn’t care about such things.”
“He’s been cleared twice and has done whatever the ICC required to bowl in international cricket. I don’t know why people are saying so many things about him. But one thing I can assure you—he doesn’t care. He’s used to this since the start of his career.”
About former Indian cricketers blaming Usman Tariq:
“Everyone has the right to their opinion. Whether you accept it or not is up to you. Usman doesn’t care what people say—he’s smart and mature enough to deal with it. For me, all 15 players are important. I won’t talk about just one player. All 15 are ready to play tomorrow, and we can field any XI.”
About the magnitude of an India–Pakistan match:
“This game has always had a huge magnitude and will continue to have it. Tomorrow, too, it will be played on a high magnitude. We were prepared for everything—whether we played or didn’t play, we came here prepared for all situations.”
About the sportsman spirit and handshake duringthe India game:
“The game should definitely be played in that spirit. What I expect doesn’t matter, but I feel the game should be played the way it has always been since cricket started. The rest is up to them—whatever they want to do.”
About the importance of toss:
“You can decide a game based on the toss. At the end of the day, if you play good cricket, you win. If you win the toss but don’t play well, or lose the toss and still don’t play well, it doesn’t matter. What matters is how you play cricket. Tomorrow too, I believe cricket itself will matter. Toss is just a way to start the game. To win, you have to execute your plans for 40 overs.”
About preparation in Sri Lanka:
“Being in Sri Lanka obviously helped us acclimatize. We know how the pitch will behave, and we are well prepared. Hopefully, it helps us, but as I said earlier, at the end of the day, we have to play good cricket to win. Any team has to execute their plans for 40 overs—that’s how you win a game.”
About the form of Pthe akistan team in T20Is and record against India:
“We don’t have a good record against them in World Cups. But every new match is a new day, a new beginning. You have to play good cricket to win. History can’t be changed, though you can learn from it. We’ve learned from it and will try to perform well tomorrow and win the match.”
About the playing 11 for tomorrow’s game and utilizing power play?
“Selection of the final XI always depends on the conditions, and we will do the same. In T20 games, whether you start with bowling or batting, you must begin well. The power play is always crucial, and I believe it will be crucial tomorrow too. We will try to make a good start in both batting and bowling.”
About Babar Azam’s selection:
“Babar scored a fifty in one of the last three innings, and just the other day, he made 40, which was a very important knock. I don’t think there’s any concern. He is batting well and scoring runs for us, and we are happy with that. We hope tomorrow he contributes majorly again and helps us win. As for the batting order, our top four is settled. I don’t think we need to change it, though if the situation demands, we will adjust accordingly.”
About the strategy if the match is shortened due to rain, and about Abhishek Sharma’s availability:
“We can’t control the rain. If overs are reduced, we are ready and know what needs to be done. Regarding Abhishek, he is obviously a good player, and I really hope he plays tomorrow. We want to play against the best team India has, so I hope he recovers well and is available.”
About being the captain of Pakistan and his own batting style in T20s:
“I don’t know if I’ve lost sleep, but I do have a few grey hairs in my beard now! It’s added responsibility when you’re captain and representing 250–260 million people. You can’t run away from that pressure. You just need to find a way to deal with it. As for batting, yes, I’ve changed my position and role. It was a collective decision with the coaches and support staff. I’ve worked on it and hopefully can play a good innings tomorrow as well.”
About the advantage of playing all games in Colombo, and will Pakistan continue with a spin-heavy strategy or bring in an extra pacer?
“The only advantage is being used to the climate. But ultimately, you must execute your plan over 40 overs; otherwise, you won’t win. Being based here doesn’t guarantee victory. We have 15 players, and I’m confident in all of them. Tomorrow we’ll decide which 11 are needed.”
About the hospitality in Sri Lanka:
“I’ve toured Sri Lanka four or five times now, and I think some of the best people I’ve met are here. They are very nice, their hospitality is excellent, and we love them as they love us. Personally, I really enjoy coming to Sri Lanka. They welcome you warmly, and we are enjoying our time here.
About the strategy against Abhishek Sharma:
“We haven’t targeted anyone specifically. We prepare plans for the entire opposition XI. What you saw is routine work we do in practice. Our bowling coach works with fast bowlers on death bowling, and we’ve been doing this for the past six or seven months. It wasn’t specific to this game; it’s part of our regular training.”
About big boundary lines and the role of spinners:
“It’s possible that spinners will dominate here. But fast bowlers will definitely have their role too, because fast bowling is a skill you can’t write off anywhere. Their role always remains, so I believe they will have an impact here as well. We have quite a few spinners, but we also have fast bowlers whom we can use whenever needed.”
About Usman Tariq as ta rump card in the game and about his action:
“For us, all players are equal. It’s you people who have made Usman Tariq such a big topic. For us, he’s just one of the 15 players. Obviously, he’s been bowling very well in recent months, even in league cricket before playing for Pakistan. So yes, we can say he’s definitely a trump card for us.”
“It doesn’t affect him at all. Ever since he started playing cricket, these talks have been around him. He doesn’t care about such things.”
“He’s been cleared twice and has done whatever the ICC required to bowl in international cricket. I don’t know why people are saying so many things about him. But one thing I can assure you—he doesn’t care. He’s used to this since the start of his career.”
About former Indian cricketers blaming Usman Tariq:
“Everyone has the right to their opinion. Whether you accept it or not is up to you. Usman doesn’t care what people say—he’s smart and mature enough to deal with it. For me, all 15 players are important. I won’t talk about just one player. All 15 are ready to play tomorrow, and we can field any XI.”
About the magnitude of an India–Pakistan match:
“This game has always had a huge magnitude and will continue to have it. Tomorrow, too, it will be played on a high magnitude. We were prepared for everything—whether we played or didn’t play, we came here prepared for all situations.”
About the sportsman spirit and handshake duringthe India game:
“The game should definitely be played in that spirit. What I expect doesn’t matter, but I feel the game should be played the way it has always been since cricket started. The rest is up to them—whatever they want to do.”
About the importance of toss:
“You can decide a game based on the toss. At the end of the day, if you play good cricket, you win. If you win the toss but don’t play well, or lose the toss and still don’t play well, it doesn’t matter. What matters is how you play cricket. Tomorrow too, I believe cricket itself will matter. Toss is just a way to start the game. To win, you have to execute your plans for 40 overs.”
About preparation in Sri Lanka:
“Being in Sri Lanka obviously helped us acclimatize. We know how the pitch will behave, and we are well prepared. Hopefully, it helps us, but as I said earlier, at the end of the day, we have to play good cricket to win. Any team has to execute their plans for 40 overs—that’s how you win a game.”
About the form of Pthe akistan team in T20Is and record against India:
“We don’t have a good record against them in World Cups. But every new match is a new day, a new beginning. You have to play good cricket to win. History can’t be changed, though you can learn from it. We’ve learned from it and will try to perform well tomorrow and win the match.”
About the playing 11 for tomorrow’s game and utilizing power play?
“Selection of the final XI always depends on the conditions, and we will do the same. In T20 games, whether you start with bowling or batting, you must begin well. The power play is always crucial, and I believe it will be crucial tomorrow too. We will try to make a good start in both batting and bowling.”
About Babar Azam’s selection:
“Babar scored a fifty in one of the last three innings, and just the other day, he made 40, which was a very important knock. I don’t think there’s any concern. He is batting well and scoring runs for us, and we are happy with that. We hope tomorrow he contributes majorly again and helps us win. As for the batting order, our top four is settled. I don’t think we need to change it, though if the situation demands, we will adjust accordingly.”
About the strategy if the match is shortened due to rain, and about Abhishek Sharma’s availability:
“We can’t control the rain. If overs are reduced, we are ready and know what needs to be done. Regarding Abhishek, he is obviously a good player, and I really hope he plays tomorrow. We want to play against the best team India has, so I hope he recovers well and is available.”
About being the captain of Pakistan and his own batting style in T20s:
“I don’t know if I’ve lost sleep, but I do have a few grey hairs in my beard now! It’s added responsibility when you’re captain and representing 250–260 million people. You can’t run away from that pressure. You just need to find a way to deal with it. As for batting, yes, I’ve changed my position and role. It was a collective decision with the coaches and support staff. I’ve worked on it and hopefully can play a good innings tomorrow as well.”
About the advantage of playing all games in Colombo, and will Pakistan continue with a spin-heavy strategy or bring in an extra pacer?
“The only advantage is being used to the climate. But ultimately, you must execute your plan over 40 overs; otherwise, you won’t win. Being based here doesn’t guarantee victory. We have 15 players, and I’m confident in all of them. Tomorrow we’ll decide which 11 are needed.”
About the hospitality in Sri Lanka:
“I’ve toured Sri Lanka four or five times now, and I think some of the best people I’ve met are here. They are very nice, their hospitality is excellent, and we love them as they love us. Personally, I really enjoy coming to Sri Lanka. They welcome you warmly, and we are enjoying our time here.
About the strategy against Abhishek Sharma:
“We haven’t targeted anyone specifically. We prepare plans for the entire opposition XI. What you saw is routine work we do in practice. Our bowling coach works with fast bowlers on death bowling, and we’ve been doing this for the past six or seven months. It wasn’t specific to this game; it’s part of our regular training.”
