Agha outlines strategy as Pakistan face South Africa

News Desk 

Islamabad: Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha has emphasized the importance of consistency and learning from past mistakes as the national team gears up to face South Africa in the T20 series beginning Tuesday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Speaking at a pre-series press conference on Monday, Agha said the team was focused on improving its performance and maintaining momentum ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

“We’ve had some good sessions and some not so good ones. We made mistakes, but there were positives too. We won the tri-series and finished as runners-up in the Asia Cup. The key now is to identify our mistakes and make sure we don’t repeat them,” he said.

Agha noted that modern cricket has evolved rapidly, with strategies now tailored to match conditions rather than target scores. “Cricket has changed a lot. In the Asia Cup, we didn’t see pitches where teams scored 180 or 190.

We study the historical scores at each venue and plan accordingly — setting a competitive total when batting and restricting the opposition when bowling. This approach will continue through to the World Cup,” he explained.

The skipper also appreciated the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) collaboration with Pink Ribbon Pakistan to raise awareness about breast cancer. “It’s a great cause and something we’re proud to be part of,” he said.

On team selection, Agha said the focus remains on the 15 players chosen for the series. “Our attention is on the squad we have. Those outside the team remain in our plans, but right now, it’s about these 15 players,” he added.

Read More:https://thepenpk.com/powells-power-finish-seals-win-for-west-indies/

Admitting his personal form had been below expectations, Agha reaffirmed his commitment to contributing to team success. “My last two series weren’t great, but my goal is always to perform in a way that helps the team win,” he said.

He welcomed the return of star batter Babar Azam, calling him a “world-class player” whose experience will strengthen the side. “Babar has played over 100 T20s. His inclusion gives the team a huge advantage,” Agha said.

Explaining Usman Khan’s inclusion as wicketkeeper-batter, Agha said the decision was tactical. “We wanted a wicketkeeper who can bat effectively in the middle order, especially against spin. Usman has performed very well against spin in the PSL,” he noted.

Clarifying his leadership style, the captain added, “I make the decisions on the field and don’t receive messages from the dressing room.”

Looking ahead, Agha identified batting against spin in the middle overs as an area needing improvement. “We need to enhance our strike rate and improve against spin. Players like Abdul Samad, Mohammad Nawaz, and Hassan Nawaz can play key roles as hard-hitting options,” he said.

Meanwhile, South African skipper Donovan Ferreira said the T20I series would be vital preparation for the World Cup.

“There hasn’t been much cricket recently, so this series gives us a great opportunity to sharpen our skills and continue building on the progress we’ve made,” Ferreira said.

He described South Africa’s style as an “explosive brand of cricket,” saying the team aims to adapt quickly to conditions while maintaining aggression. “Whether we bat or bowl first, it’s about assessing conditions and executing our plans. We have experienced batters, powerful hitters, quality fast bowlers, and skilled spinners — our goal is to bring it all together,” he added.

Acknowledging the challenge of playing in foreign conditions, Ferreira said, “Playing away from home always gives the hosts an advantage, but we’re focused on the present. This is a new group with new opportunities, and if we back ourselves, we can tilt things in our favor.”

He revealed he had been unwell and missed training but planned to inspect the Rawalpindi pitch later in the day. “Sometimes you plan for a certain score, but the game unfolds differently. We’ll stay present, assess quickly, and adapt accordingly,” he said.

Ferreira expressed confidence in his side’s ability to perform consistently. “Our Test team has done exceptionally well, and our white-ball side is full of experience and energy. Winning the first match of this three-game series would give us great momentum,” he added.