Salman Ali Agha speaking to the media ahead of the Second Test Match:
About playing 11:
“No, I don't think so. We've decided. We've been informed. So, probably tomorrow. I don't know.”
“If you look at the stats, spinners do well on these tracks. The management hasn't decided anything. It's up to them.”
About Pitch for 2nd Test:
“It’s quite different from Johannesburg. There's less grass on it. But we don't know for sure. We'll see tomorrow, and then we can determine how we're going to play in the Test matches.”
Injury concerns:
“No, everyone is available.”
About First Test:
“It was a great game. We fought hard, and it was the kind of game that could have gone either way until the very end. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen played really well. So yeah, we are very confident we can beat them in this game. Our overall morale is still very high because we beat them in the ODIs, and the first Test match was a great contest. Both teams were neck and neck. So, I hope it's going to be another exciting match.”
“There were a few moments in the game where we could have put them further behind, but we couldn't capitalize on those opportunities. There were a few partnerships and then some late runs in the first innings [for South Africa]. But these things can happen in Test cricket. You think you're on top, and then suddenly, in one session, you can be out of the game. But yeah, we have learned from that, and we will do better in this game.”
Confidence for the second Test:
“When you come to South Africa and play such a close game against them, you always believe—even before that game—that we can beat them because we did in the One Day Internationals. So, we had the belief we could beat them in the Test match as well, and we still have that belief going into the second Test. We were just a bit short in the first game.”
His own bowling:
“I just saw the wicket, and I think I probably will bowl in this game because I haven't bowled in the last three Test matches. I think my role could be very important in this game as well.”
About South Africa as a Team:
“They are a very good side. Their bowling lineup and even their batting are very high quality. That's why they're in the World Test Championship final. And I think whoever comes up against them; it will be a very, very good final. But yes, they are of very good quality. That's why they are in the final.”
About Mohammad Abbas:
“His quality lies in his accuracy. He knows what he's doing. He understands his bowling incredibly well. I've never seen a bowler who knows his skills as much as he does. He's an outstanding bowler. He was very rusty in the first innings with the new ball, but that's understandable for a guy who's coming back after almost three years. However, the way he came back in the second innings was outstanding. The way he bowled, he's the one who put us back in the game. Otherwise, I thought the way [South Africa’s batters] were going was probably going to be a one-sided game. But he came in and bowled an entire session—that's outstanding. I've never seen someone bowl like that for a whole session. He's an outstanding bowler, and I hope he'll do well in this game as well.”
