Delighted on Babar’s form, Salman believes Pakistan on right path for World Cup

LAHORE: Pakistan T20 captain Salman Ali Agha expressed his delight to see the star batsman Babar Azam return to form and stated that now the team is on the right track in its preparation for the World Cup.

Talking to media after winning the T20 series against South Africa, Salman stated: ‘There are like-for-like changes in the team particularly to the need of time and reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition.

In a candid conversation, Salman addressed a range of questions—from batting satisfaction and squad rotation to Babar Azam’s resurgence and World Cup readiness. Responding to the opening question about Pakistan’s batting progression across the series, Salman expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance. He acknowledged the poor start in the first match but highlighted the comprehensive victories in the second and third games. “We always aim for an above-par score when batting and try to restrict the opposition to under-par when bowling,” he said, crediting both departments for delivering on strategy and enabling comfortable chases.

On the topic of team combinations, Salman clarified that while personnel may change, the roles remain consistent. “We make like-for-like changes to keep players fresh, especially with 14–15 games scheduled over the next 20–25 days,” he explained. He praised debutant Usman Tariq for his composed performance under pressure, noting that he bowled the 15th and 17th overs with maturity beyond his experience. “It didn’t even look like it was his debut,” Salman added. He also celebrated Babar Azam’s half-century, calling it a timely return to form and expressing hope that Babar would continue to perform consistently over the next four to five years.

Reflecting on his own partnership with Babar during the chase, Salman shared insights into their on-field communication. “We’ve known each other since Under-16 and Under-19 days. We were focused on rotating strike and waiting for the right over to attack,” he said. He also spoke warmly about Usman Tariq’s debut, joking that if Usman credits his life partner for bringing him luck, “then she truly is lucky.”

When asked about Babar’s use of the sweep shot—a rare addition to his repertoire—Salman praised his teammate’s work ethic. “I’ve never seen anyone prepare like Babar does. He’s clearly trying to evolve his game, and it’s a good sign for Pakistan,” he said, noting that such adaptability will be crucial in upcoming matches.

Explaining Pakistan’s decision to field first in all three T20Is, Salman cited the heavy dew as the primary factor. “After the first 10 overs, the ground becomes very difficult for bowlers. It’s a straightforward decision,” he said. On Babar’s future in the team, Salman was unequivocal: “If he keeps playing like this, he can win us anything—even the World Cup.”

Addressing concerns about Pakistan’s scoring range and global competitiveness, Salman pushed back against the narrative of underperformance. “We only lost one series to Bangladesh. Our win ratio is 70%, which is on par with top-ranked teams,” he asserted. He emphasized the importance of adapting to pitch conditions, especially with the T20 World Cup set to be held in Sri Lanka. “You won’t see many 180-run games there. Finals are often 130–140 contests. Building a pitch here that mirrors those conditions is part of our preparation,” he explained.