Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha exuded confidence following his team’s impressive 32-run victory over the United States in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Group A match. Agha emphasized that the team’s distinctive cricketing identity sets them apart, asserting, “We are Pakistan, we do things differently to the world.” His relaxed demeanor during the post-match presentation highlighted the team’s significant improvement, particularly in their batting during the middle overs.
Acknowledging the performance, Agha remarked, “I always smile. When have you seen me not smile? (laughs). Clinical win. Last game we didn’t bat well in the middle overs, but today we did. Once we scored 190, we knew we could defend that.” He expressed a general preference for batting first, demonstrating confidence in Pakistan’s bowling attack to defend any target. “With the kind of bowling we have, we know we can win even with 160-170,” he noted.
Flexibility is a key component of Pakistan’s game plan, as Agha highlighted the adaptability of the batting lineup. He stated that while the first three batsmen maintain a consistent order, the subsequent positions are designed to respond effectively to match situations. This adaptability, according to Agha, includes strategically promoting finishers when necessary to secure victories.
While celebrating the win against the United States, Agha remained focused on areas for improvement, specifically in the bowling department during the powerplay. “Always room for improvement. We like to bowl well in the powerplay. In patches we were good, but we can be more clinical,” he said.
With a highly anticipated match against India approaching, Agha is optimistic that Pakistan’s unconventional and fearless approach could provide the edge they need to succeed on the global stage.