Sohaib Maqsood: “Salman Ali Agha is a great Test and ODI batsman, playing him [in] T20s at 5 would just add unwanted pressure on him and might [affect] his other format performances as well”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan power-hitter Sohaib Maqsood believes middle order batsman Salman Ali Agha shouldn’t be batting at number five in T20Is as unnecessary pressure is being put on him.
He noted that Salman usually doesn’t have time to build an innings and thus has to start firing right from the get-go.
This style of play might impact his performances as it could lead to a few low scores, which may draw unwanted attention from fans, team management, and selectors.
Additionally, Maqsood is concerned that if the 31-year-old limited overs vice-captain doesn’t do well in T20Is, it may have an adverse impact on his batting in Tests and ODIs.
“Salman Ali Agha is a great Test and ODI batsman, playing him [in] T20s at 5 would just add unwanted pressure on him and might [affect] his other format performances as well,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
During Pakistan’s white-ball tour of Australia, Salman scored 12 runs in three ODIs at an average of 12.
As for the three T20Is that followed, he amassed five runs at an average of 1.66.
After the Australia series, Salman travelled to Zimbabwe with the Pakistan team and made 34 runs in three ODIs at an average of 17.
He also took six wickets at an average of 16.83.
Following this, he struck 45 runs in three T20Is at an average of 22.50.
Bowling-wise, he finished with two wickets at an average of 13.
Pakistan are now in South Africa and began their tour on a disappointing note as they lost the T20I series 2-0.
Salman did not feature in the T20I series, but has been involved in the ongoing ODI series, where the men in green have bounced back to take a 2-0 lead.
In the first two ODIs, he has made scores of 82 not out and 33, while also claiming a total of five wickets, four of which came in the 1st ODI.
The 3rd ODI will take place on December 22 in Johannesburg.
After the ODI series, Pakistan and South Africa will play two Tests, with the first match starting on December 26 in Centurion.
Pakistan Squad for South Africa T20I Series:Â Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa ODI Series:Â Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa Test Series:Â Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha