Salman Ali Agha Clarifies Relationship with Babar Azam After Series Win

Following Pakistan’s dominant 3-0 series victory against Bangladesh, T20I captain Salman Ali Agha addressed the rumors surrounding his connection with former captain Babar Azam. He affirmed that their bond is a long-lasting friendship that began in their school days.

Salman discussed their relationship during the post-match media briefing after the team’s clean sweep against Bangladesh.

Decades-Long Friendship

“Babar and I have been friends since 2008, from our time in school. Social media was not prevalent back then,” Salman told reporters in Lahore.

“I never followed him on social platforms, so there is no reason to unfollow him now. People often like to speculate, but there is nothing to it,” he clarified.

Focus on Team Performance and Future Tours

The all-rounder also took the chance to commend his team’s overall performance and reiterate his dedication to an aggressive and appealing style of cricket.

“I am extremely pleased with the way the young players have performed. Our main focus is on playing an entertaining brand of cricket for our fans,” he mentioned.

Regarding Pakistan’s upcoming schedule, Salman revealed that the team’s next assignment is a tour to Bangladesh, which will be followed by a series in the West Indies.

“We are next traveling to Bangladesh, and after that, we have a tour of the West Indies. Considering the conditions, we might consider including more spin bowlers in the squad,” he added. “If the Asia Cup is held, it is highly probable that it will occur in Dubai, where the playing conditions are quite comparable.”

He stressed that the team’s approach would remain daring and proactive.

“As long as I am the captain, we will continue to play with this mindset, ensuring that both batters and bowlers are challenged,” he stated. “We attempted a similar strategy in New Zealand, but the conditions were different there.”

Squad Selection and Player Performance

Commenting on the team selection, Salman indicated that the core players would be retained, but opportunities remain for others.

“Our goal is to maintain the current group as the core of the team, but the door is always open for new talent. Performances in domestic cricket and the PSL are being closely observed.”

Salman also praised Mohammad Haris for his impressive performance throughout the series.

“Some individuals believe he doesn’t think while playing, but that is incorrect. He performed admirably and displayed maturity,” he commented.

Fan Support and Playing Conditions

He recognized the importance of fan backing and playing conditions.

“Even in today’s cricket, conditions are important. The Lahore crowd consistently shows its support. Previously, our style of play didn’t excite them, but now that we are adopting a different approach, they are responding positively. We are thankful to all the fans.”

Regarding team roles, Salman underscored tactical versatility. “Mohammad Haris is being utilized at number three, while Hassan Nawaz is contributing in the middle order. Our batting positions will continue to be adjusted depending on the needs of the team,” he concluded.