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Pakistan's T20I Captain Salman Ali Agha in a press conference:
Q: You’ve gone with this bowling attack without some regular selections. Are you confident that this group can perform well in Bangladesh and help build up properly for the World Cup?
Salman: Yes, absolutely. As I’ve said before—like I mentioned ahead of the last Bangladesh series—we need players who can step in and replace others at any time. That’s exactly what we’re trying to build: a strong bench. I’m fully confident in the bowlers selected; I believe they’ll perform well over there.
Q: This is the Asia Cup year and the T20 World Cup is early next year. Have you finalized or identified a pool of players—around 20 to 30—who you think will continue with the team till the World Cup? And do that pool include names like Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen?
Salman: Yes, we’ve tried to form a 25-player pool, and going forward, you’ll see that the same group will continue until the World Cup. Absolutely, those three senior players are very much part of the pool. They’ve delivered performances for Pakistan and are integral. Regarding what Mike Hesson said the other day about team combinations, I’ve seen that press conference, and he explained things clearly—how players can fit into the team. There’s no need for me to repeat the same.
Q: You mentioned Shaheen Shah Afridi is in the plan. He was the top wicket-taker in the PSL, a three-time champion captain, yet he’s not in the T20 team. Are we leaning too much toward commercialized T20s and sidelining Test and ODI cricket?
Salman: There’s no need to criticize Shaheen; he’s a world-class bowler. Going forward, you’ll see him in Pakistan’s white-ball setup. He’s one of our best. As for Test and ODI cricket, we’re not running away from it. But we must focus on what’s immediately in front of us. The 50-over World Cup is still far off—maybe at the end of 2027. We prepare for the formats we’re about to play. That’s why the emphasis is currently on T20s. We already play fewer Tests. Also, maybe we don’t get enough Test series because we haven’t been able to win away—Australia, England, South Africa. If we start doing that, teams will want to play us. So, we must perform better first.
Q: In recent times, many youngsters emerged post-PSL. We saw some in the Bangladesh series and more are being taken along. What kind of T20 squad or structure are you envisioning for the future?
Salman: First of all, I never agree with the notion that Pakistan lacks talent. This country has a legacy of world-class players—it would take a long time just to count them. After the PSL and in the Bangladesh and even New Zealand series, many youngsters made an impact. Their performances were impressive. Going forward, I’m confident Pakistan’s T20 cricket will continue to improve, Insha’Allah.
Q: What’s your role in selection? There seems to be inconsistency—players like Samad and Irfan were included then dropped. How do you plan to give youngsters consistent chances? And how does someone like Nawaz, who has 6 dismissals in 10 games and was previously dropped, get selected again?
Salman: In the New Zealand series, almost all the selected players were youngsters. Naturally, some will carry forward and others won’t, especially since we can’t completely phase out senior players. As for Irfan, he’s going to Australia as captain—he still has opportunities. Regarding Nawaz, when Shadab got injured, we needed a like-for-like replacement. Sometimes it’s about ability as well as performance. Performance dips are part of the game, but skills matter too.
Q: How was the preparation during the white-ball camp? What was it like working with Mike Hesson, and how do you compare the pitches to what you expect in Bangladesh or the World Cup?
Salman: The main purpose of this camp was to prepare pitches in conditions similar to Bangladesh, the USA, and West Indies. In Karachi, spin-friendly conditions are most similar to what we’ll face. So the camp was held here with surfaces tailored for spin. I feel we’re well-prepared now. Today’s the last day of camp, and I believe we’re ready to perform well, Insha’Allah.
Q: About the certainty around his future as the T20I captain, citing the examples of previous skippers Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who were removed from the role after short stints?
Salman: “It was also being said about me that I’m becoming the captain of all three formats. It was reported by you, I mean you guys can say anything. But until now, I had no discussions regarding the ODI captaincy. What happened to the previous captains, I don’t need to talk about i,t as it was not my concern. I have to think about how I can bring the best out of my team. I only do things which are better for the Pakistan team, and that is my only goal.”
Q: You previously mentioned your go-to person in tough times is Saud Shakeel, but he’s not part of the team now. Who do you turn to in such situations?
Salman: WhatsApp still works! I can still call him. Jokes aside, you always have friends in the team to discuss things with. Saud is someone I trust for good advice, but there are others in the squad I can talk to as well.
Q: In a fun video, you said Babar Azam would be the hero and Iftikhar Ahmed the villain if a movie was made—but you didn’t name a heroine. Who would be the heroine?
Salman (laughs): That’s for Babar to decide. I was only asked about the hero, so I answered that much.
Q: Bangladesh is your upcoming challenge. You’ve said any captain needs time. Do you feel captains in Pakistan aren’t given enough of it?
Salman: Bangladesh is a tough team, especially at home. They’ve beaten top sides there. We’ve prepared accordingly. As for captains and coaches, any system you introduce needs time. If you demand quick results, it can fall apart just as quickly. Processes require patience. If something is given time, it can deliver long-term success. You can’t judge things based on just a couple of months.
Q: How confident are you in your captaincy? Pakistan captaincy is tough—we’ve seen what Babar and Rizwan went through.
Salman: It’s not difficult; it’s a responsibility—and I like responsibilities. It’s a challenge, and I enjoy challenges. Whether I’m captain or not, my goal is the same: to help Pakistan cricket grow. I want to contribute in any way I can to take the team forward.
Q: Is selection a group process or an individual’s decision?
Salman: It’s absolutely a team decision. Just as cricket is a team game, so is selection. We consult among coaches, captains, and the selection committee. No single person decides.
Q: Your international debut was on 16 July 2022. Now almost three years later, you’ve played 73 matches across all formats. How do you reflect on your journey so far? Any advice from a senior that truly helped shape your career?
Salman: Honestly, I had forgotten it’s been that long! International cricket is not easy. There are challenges every day. It’s been a roller-coaster, but I try not to live with regrets. I believe this journey has gone how it was meant to. Life and careers are like that—ups and downs. As for advice, I’ve received a lot, and I always try to apply what’s helpful. I’m grateful for the support I’ve had along the way.
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