Pakistan’s T20 captain Salman Ali Agha has expressed full confidence in the squad selected for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh, affirming that senior players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are part of the team’s long-term plans.

Speaking to the media after the team’s final practice session in Lahore on Monday, Salman emphasised that leadership and team development require time and continuity, stating, “A captain should be given enough time before judging his performance. A team is built through consultation, not by one individual.”

Addressing speculation about captaincy in the T20 World Cup, he said, “I’m not thinking about whether I’ll be captain in the World Cup or not. My focus is on the immediate series and getting the best out of my players.”

Salman added that a pool of 25 players has been finalized and these will form the core group heading into the T20 World Cup, reinforcing the team’s strategy of building bench strength capable of stepping in as needed.

Senior players & performance philosophy

He praised Shaheen Afridi as a critical asset to the team, saying, “Shaheen’s performance speaks for itself. He’s one of Pakistan’s top players.”

On Babar and Rizwan, he noted they are part of the core group and remain within the 25-player pool.

Regarding Mohammad Nawaz’s inclusion, Salman clarified that it was a strategic decision due to Shadab Khan’s injury, and performance fluctuations are natural.

“You have to consider a player’s potential, not just recent stats,” he said.

Focus on T20 but not ignoring tests or ODIs

With preparations underway for the T20 World Cup, Salman stated that Pakistan is focusing on T20 matches for now but not neglecting Test and ODI formats.

“We’re not running away from Tests or ODIs. We know performing well in Tests increases opportunities against bigger teams.”

Conditions, coaching, and continuity

Explaining the rationale behind holding the training camp in Karachi, Salman said the spin-friendly conditions helped simulate what they might face in Bangladesh.

He warned that Bangladesh in home conditions can be a challenging opponent, citing their strong record against top teams on home soil.

Salman concluded by calling for systemic continuity across the team, coaching, and cricket board, stating: “Nothing is proven in just one or two months. I’m ready to do anything for where Pakistan cricket deserves to be.”