ISLAMABAD, Oct 27 (APP): Pakistani Skipper Salman Ali Agha has emphasized the importance of consistency and learning from past mistakes as the Green-shirts prepares to face South Africa in the upcoming T20 series beginning Tuesday.
Speaking at the pre-series press conference at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday, Agha reflected on Pakistan’s recent performances and outlined the team’s strategic approach heading into the World Cup.
“We’ve had some good sessions and some not so good ones. We made mistakes, but there have also been positives. We won the tri-series and finished as runners-up in the Asia Cup. The key for us is to identify our mistakes and make sure we don’t repeat them,” he said.
The Pakistani skipper discussed the evolving nature of modern cricket, noting that the game has become faster and more dynamic.
“Cricket has changed a lot. In the Asia Cup, we didn’t see pitches where teams scored 180 or 190. We don’t aim for those scores if conditions don’t support it. Our strategy is to study the historical scores at each venue and plan accordingly.
When we bat, we try to set a competitive total, and when we bowl, we aim to restrict the opposition below that benchmark.
This approach will continue through to the World Cup,” he said.
Agha also expressed his excitement about the Pakistan Cricket Board supporting the Pink Ribbon Pakistan to create awareness about breast cancer, saying, “We are very excited for it as it’s for a great cause and something we’re proud to be part of,” he said.
Regarding team selection, Agha reiterated that the focus remains on the 15 players chosen for the series. “We have to focus on the performance of the 15 players in the squad. Those outside the team will remain in our plans, but right now our attention is on the group we have,” he said.
To a question on his personal form, the captain admitted that his performances’ in recent series were below expectations but reaffirmed his commitment to contributing to team success.
“My last two series weren’t great, but my goal is always to perform in a way that helps the team win,” he said.
Agha welcomed the return of Babar Azam, calling him a world-class player whose experience will strengthen the side.
“Babar is a world class cricketer. His inclusion gives the team a huge advantage, he’s played over 100 T20s and brings a wealth of experience,” Agha said.
Commenting on Usman Khan’s inclusion as wicketkeeper-batter, Agha explained that the decision was based on tactical needs.
“We wanted a wicketkeeper who can bat effectively in the middle order, especially against spin, as we expect to face plenty of spin during the middle overs. Usman has performed very well against spin in the Pakistan Super League,” he said.
Agha clarified that he takes all on-field decisions independently. “I make the decisions on the field and don’t receive messages from the dressing room,” he said.
Looking ahead, the skipper identified key areas for improvement, particularly in the middle overs. “We need to improve our batting against spin in the middle overs and work on our strike rate,” Agha emphasized. Players like Abdul Samad, Mohammad Nawaz, and Hassan Nawaz can play important roles as hard-hitting options for us,” he said.
Meanwhile, South African Captain Donovan Ferreira sees the T20I series against Pakistan as a key part of the team’s preparations for the World Cup.
Ferreira said the series would serve as a vital platform to fine-tune skills and build on the progress made throughout the year.
“It’s obviously very important. There hasn’t been much cricket recently, and with the World Cup just around the corner, this series gives us a great opportunity to sharpen our skills and continue building on the work we’ve done over the year,” Ferreira said.
The South African skipper highlighted his team’s commitment to playing an ‘explosive brand of cricket’, regardless of conditions or match situations.
“As a team, we have a specific brand we want to play, an explosive one. Whether we bat or bowl first, it’s about assessing the conditions quickly and executing our plans. We have exciting players across the board, experienced batters, powerful hitters, quality fast bowlers, and skilled spinners. Our goal is to bring all those strengths together and play dynamic cricket.”
Acknowledging the challenges of playing in foreign conditions, Ferreira said the team was focused on looking ahead rather than dwelling on past performances.
“Playing away from home always gives the hosts a natural advantage, but we’re not living in the past. The Namibia game is behind us. We’ve reflected on it, and this is a new group with new opportunities. It’s crucial that we hit the ground running, stick to our strategies, and play our brand of cricket. Anything can happen, but if we back ourselves, we can tilt things in our favor.”
Ferreira revealed that he had not yet inspected the Rawalpindi pitch due to a brief illness but planned to assess conditions later in the day.
“I didn’t attend training yesterday because I was a bit unwell. I’ll have a look at the pitch after this press conference. It’s important that we assess conditions tomorrow rather than making early predictions. Sometimes you plan for a certain score, but the game unfolds differently. We’ll stay present, make quick assessments once play begins, and adapt accordingly.”
Looking ahead to the series, Ferreira expressed confidence in the team’s standards and ambitions. “We want to perform consistently, no matter where we play. Our Test team has done exceptionally well, and that gives us confidence. We also have a very strong white-ball side, full of experience and excitement. Each game we play, we play to win. Winning the first match of this three-game series would give us great momentum going forward,” he said.