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Pakistan T20I Captain Salman Ali Agha speaking during PCB Podcast:
About T20I World Cup 2026 preparation:
“I feel we are on the right track. Of course, many things still need improvement, but to reach anywhere, you must be on the right track first. We have prepared for the World Cup for six months, planning and training. Now we are finding the right combination. We still have six games before the World Cup, so we will use them to strengthen what we have built.”
About Team combinations:
“The roles are clear. We know what roles are needed in the playing XI and squad. Players may appear in different roles, but the roles are defined. Now the next six games should be used to give consistency, so players go into the World Cup with confidence. I don’t think there will be major changes, because for six to seven months we have prepared with this combination. Results are also showing.”
About captaincy affecting the batting:
“When I became captain, I didn’t realize the difference. I had captained domestically, but Pakistan captaincy is an extra responsibility and pressure. It is impossible to say there is no pressure. At first, I struggled to balance batting and captaincy, but they are two different jobs. When you bat, you must remove captaincy from your mind. Initially, it was difficult, but in six to seven months, I learned how to manage both.”
“Playing for Pakistan itself was a dream. I had played ten years of first‑class cricket, over two hundred plus games, and many runs. So, for me, playing for Pakistan was pride. Captaincy is the icing on the cake. I never thought of it, but when you work honestly, unexpected things come.”
About Babar Azam’s comeback under his captaincy:
“I never saw him as “the world’s best batter.” I see him as a friend, and he sees me the same. When my form was poor, he came to me and advised me. His form was not great for two or three years, though he still performed. Expectations are high because of what he has done for Pakistan in the last 7-8 years. We talk and support each other as friends. He is a very good listener. Even juniors can advise him, and he listens. If I felt something could help him, I told him, and if he implemented it, it helped.”
About playing a record 56 matches in one year:
“I never thought at the start of 2025 that I would play all matches. But I tried to play every match for Pakistan. Playing so many matches in one year is luck and pride. Out of 250 million people, if you play all the matches for Pakistan, it is a huge honor. Hard work is needed, but luck too.”
“Fitness is crucial. Without fitness, you cannot play three formats and 56 matches in a year. Recovery is equally important. People focus on fitness, but recovery is just as vital. I train in the morning (gym or ground) and in the evening (skills). With the team, practice takes three to four hours plus gym, so six to seven hours daily. Matches take the whole day.”
About his journey from starting cricket in Lahore to becoming Pakistan’s captain:
“It feels unreal. I come from a humble background, from the streets near Station and Railway Road. I started at Apollo Club, still play there. Went through under‑16, under‑19, and first‑class for ten years. There were ups and downs, disappointments when my name was not selected despite deserving. But now I see those struggles were necessary to shape me. My childhood coach, Malik Sarwar Mahmood, was like a father figure. Without hi,m I may not have played for Pakistan. Others helped too, like Naveed Ahmed (now UAE fielding coach) and Tahir Mahmood. My father wanted me to study, but when I started playing first‑class, he saw my ability and supported me.”
About preference in facing fast bowlers or spinners:
“I enjoy batting against spinners, I feel I can score quickly against them. Against fast bowlers, I play well too, but spinners give me more joy.”
About his dream and achievements in the future:
“Many achievements are still ahead. Personally, I don’t care about records or centuries. My dream is to win the T20 World Cup in 2026 and the ODI World Cup in 2027.”
Which players inspired you?
“I loved watching Mohammad Yousuf’s batting, especially Test centuries. Worldwide, I admired Michael Clarke. Even now I watch their innings to learn how they shaped ranges and handled pressure.”
Do you feel Pakistan has produced substitutes for the great players of the past?
“Cricket has become faster, and players don’t play for 10–15 years like before. That’s how those legends built their names. Now, if someone gets injured, we need backup players ready. For example, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, and others are waiting outside. They must be prepared. If they aren’t, then when injuries happen, we panic. That’s why we need rotation policies, giving everyone game time so they are ready. For spinners, we now have four or five options—Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan, Faisal Akram, and others. They must be given equal opportunities so they can handle pressure when called upon.”
About Mike Hesson as head coach:
“He has been here seven or eight months. He treats every player equally, whether senior or junior. That’s his strength. I had already worked with him for two years before, so our chemistry was built. When he came to the Pakistan team, it was just about executing that understanding. He has created a culture of unity, respect, and clarity of roles. Even if someone isn’t playing, he explains their role. Much of our recent success is due to him.”
About the importance of the series against Sri Lanka before the World Cup?
“Very important. Senior players like me have played a lot in Sri Lanka, so we know the conditions. But for younger players, this series will give them experience of what to expect in the World Cup. Sri Lanka’s pitches often assist spin and have some swing under light. Playing there will prepare us well.”
About T20I World Cup 2026 preparation:
“I feel we are on the right track. Of course, many things still need improvement, but to reach anywhere, you must be on the right track first. We have prepared for the World Cup for six months, planning and training. Now we are finding the right combination. We still have six games before the World Cup, so we will use them to strengthen what we have built.”
About Team combinations:
“The roles are clear. We know what roles are needed in the playing XI and squad. Players may appear in different roles, but the roles are defined. Now the next six games should be used to give consistency, so players go into the World Cup with confidence. I don’t think there will be major changes, because for six to seven months we have prepared with this combination. Results are also showing.”
About captaincy affecting the batting:
“When I became captain, I didn’t realize the difference. I had captained domestically, but Pakistan captaincy is an extra responsibility and pressure. It is impossible to say there is no pressure. At first, I struggled to balance batting and captaincy, but they are two different jobs. When you bat, you must remove captaincy from your mind. Initially, it was difficult, but in six to seven months, I learned how to manage both.”
“Playing for Pakistan itself was a dream. I had played ten years of first‑class cricket, over two hundred plus games, and many runs. So, for me, playing for Pakistan was pride. Captaincy is the icing on the cake. I never thought of it, but when you work honestly, unexpected things come.”
About Babar Azam’s comeback under his captaincy:
“I never saw him as “the world’s best batter.” I see him as a friend, and he sees me the same. When my form was poor, he came to me and advised me. His form was not great for two or three years, though he still performed. Expectations are high because of what he has done for Pakistan in the last 7-8 years. We talk and support each other as friends. He is a very good listener. Even juniors can advise him, and he listens. If I felt something could help him, I told him, and if he implemented it, it helped.”
About playing a record 56 matches in one year:
“I never thought at the start of 2025 that I would play all matches. But I tried to play every match for Pakistan. Playing so many matches in one year is luck and pride. Out of 250 million people, if you play all the matches for Pakistan, it is a huge honor. Hard work is needed, but luck too.”
“Fitness is crucial. Without fitness, you cannot play three formats and 56 matches in a year. Recovery is equally important. People focus on fitness, but recovery is just as vital. I train in the morning (gym or ground) and in the evening (skills). With the team, practice takes three to four hours plus gym, so six to seven hours daily. Matches take the whole day.”
About his journey from starting cricket in Lahore to becoming Pakistan’s captain:
“It feels unreal. I come from a humble background, from the streets near Station and Railway Road. I started at Apollo Club, still play there. Went through under‑16, under‑19, and first‑class for ten years. There were ups and downs, disappointments when my name was not selected despite deserving. But now I see those struggles were necessary to shape me. My childhood coach, Malik Sarwar Mahmood, was like a father figure. Without hi,m I may not have played for Pakistan. Others helped too, like Naveed Ahmed (now UAE fielding coach) and Tahir Mahmood. My father wanted me to study, but when I started playing first‑class, he saw my ability and supported me.”
About preference in facing fast bowlers or spinners:
“I enjoy batting against spinners, I feel I can score quickly against them. Against fast bowlers, I play well too, but spinners give me more joy.”
About his dream and achievements in the future:
“Many achievements are still ahead. Personally, I don’t care about records or centuries. My dream is to win the T20 World Cup in 2026 and the ODI World Cup in 2027.”
Which players inspired you?
“I loved watching Mohammad Yousuf’s batting, especially Test centuries. Worldwide, I admired Michael Clarke. Even now I watch their innings to learn how they shaped ranges and handled pressure.”
Do you feel Pakistan has produced substitutes for the great players of the past?
“Cricket has become faster, and players don’t play for 10–15 years like before. That’s how those legends built their names. Now, if someone gets injured, we need backup players ready. For example, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, and others are waiting outside. They must be prepared. If they aren’t, then when injuries happen, we panic. That’s why we need rotation policies, giving everyone game time so they are ready. For spinners, we now have four or five options—Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan, Faisal Akram, and others. They must be given equal opportunities so they can handle pressure when called upon.”
About Mike Hesson as head coach:
“He has been here seven or eight months. He treats every player equally, whether senior or junior. That’s his strength. I had already worked with him for two years before, so our chemistry was built. When he came to the Pakistan team, it was just about executing that understanding. He has created a culture of unity, respect, and clarity of roles. Even if someone isn’t playing, he explains their role. Much of our recent success is due to him.”
About the importance of the series against Sri Lanka before the World Cup?
“Very important. Senior players like me have played a lot in Sri Lanka, so we know the conditions. But for younger players, this series will give them experience of what to expect in the World Cup. Sri Lanka’s pitches often assist spin and have some swing under light. Playing there will prepare us well.”
