Pakistan batsman Salman Ali Agha: “If I feel that taking a break from T20s will help me prepare better for the ODI World Cup, then I will definitely consider it”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Salman Ali Agha has revealed that he may take a break from T20Is in order to be prepared for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup.
Salman has just been replaced as Pakistan’s T20I captain by top order batsman Sahibzada Farhan, ending speculation that persisted over whether he would retain the role.
Despite also having lost his place in the T20I team for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, the 32-year-old is determined to feature in the 2027 World Cup, which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21.
The middle order batsman said he is willing to do whatever is necessary to secure his place in the World Cup team, including stepping away from T20Is for a period if it helps his preparations.
“If I feel that taking a break from T20s will help me prepare better for the ODI World Cup, then I will definitely consider it. The 50-over World Cup is always very special for any player, and it will be special for me as well. If I have to do anything, I will do it to perform well,” he was quoted as saying by A Sports.
Salman recently featured in Pakistan’s three-Test series against England and scored 25 runs in one match at an average of 12.50.
He is now playing first-class cricket for Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy in the President’s Trophy Grade-I tournament and has accumulated 556 runs in three matches at an average of 139. His tally includes a career-best 300 not out, a superb 145 and a knock of 72.
Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka will be held from October 9 to 13 in Rawalpindi.
The men in green will then play an ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka and England from October 18 to 31 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Pakistan’s Squad for the T20I series against Sri Lanka: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Arafat Minhas, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Imran Randhawa, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Maaz Sadaqat, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shadab Khan, Sufyan Moqim
Pakistan’s Squad for the ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka and England: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Sufyan Moqim