Australia T20s Key to Finalizing World Cup XI: Salman

News Desk 

Islamabad: Pakistan white-ball captain Salman Ali Agha on Wednesday said the upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia would play a crucial role in finalising the team combination for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

Speaking at a pre-series press conference at Gaddafi Stadium, Salman said the team already had a fair idea about its core combination, but the Australia series would help tick the remaining boxes ahead of the mega event.

“We have a fair idea about the team combinations, but these three matches against Australia before the T20 World Cup will help us decide combinations and positions even better,” he said, adding that every player was clear about his role in the playing XI.

The Pakistan skipper said efforts had been made to prepare pitches similar to Sri Lankan conditions and expressed confidence in the team’s performance during the series.

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Responding to a query, Salman said Pakistan had been playing aggressive cricket over the past year and posted big totals whenever conditions favoured batting. He dismissed the notion that Pakistan struggled against stronger teams, stressing that there were no “big or small” sides in T20I cricket.

“If you’re playing international cricket, no team is easy. We don’t focus on rankings; instead, we focus on how we can improve and execute our plans,” he said.

On suggestions that Australia’s depleted squad presented a “golden opportunity” for Pakistan, Salman disagreed, saying Australian teams were mentally strong regardless of personnel.

“No Australian side can be considered weak,” he remarked.

Commenting on Babar Azam’s below-par stint in Australia’s Big Bash League, Salman said he was not concerned about the ace batter’s recent form, noting that Babar had performed well for Pakistan.

“I wonder when journalists will start discussing the performances of the other 14 players and leave Babar Azam alone,” he said in a light-hearted response.

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On fan reactions to the team’s poor performances at times, Salman said cricket was the country’s premier sport and disappointment among supporters was natural. However, he hoped fans would turn up in large numbers for the Australia series.

He also termed leg-spinner Usman Tariq a potential trump card for Pakistan in Sri Lankan conditions during the World Cup. Salman added that while he was aware of his own strong batting statistics at number three, he would play wherever required by the team.

Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq.