Following Pakistan’s 2-1 T20I series win against West Indies, skipper Salman Agha highlighted that their main objective is building towards the upcoming T20 World Cup. Speaking to the media after the final match in Lauderhill, Salman highlighted the strategic importance of each series being played this year.
Every Series Is Part of the Bigger Plan
Salman Agha stated that all recent and upcoming series are aligned with their World Cup preparation strategy.
“From the home and away series against Bangladesh to this one against West Indies, and now the tri-nation series and Asia Cup – all of it is part of our plan for the T20 World Cup,” he said.
He underlined that the ultimate goal is not just participation, but winning the World Cup, and the team is making every effort to build the right momentum and combinations.
Experience in Different Conditions is Crucial
Salman pointed out how adapting to various playing conditions, like those in Florida, will benefit the team when they play in the UAE.
“The pitch today was better compared to the first two matches. Playing in these conditions will help us when we head to Dubai, where conditions are very different.”
This tactical exposure is part of Pakistan’s broader plan to be fully prepared for the global tournament.
Bowling Strategy and On-Field Decisions
On being asked why he didn’t bowl himself, Salman Agha explained:
“I had considered bowling today, but with two left-handers batting and Saim Ayub already in the attack, I had to think about maintaining pressure from both ends.”
He also spoke about rising spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, noting his growing role and the confidence the team has in his abilities.
“Saim was bowling really well. I wanted Sufiyan to bowl from the other end to keep the pressure up. But in the future, you’ll definitely see me bowling too.”
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Openers Set the Foundation for Victory
Salman was full of praise for openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan, whose explosive start helped Pakistan post a strong total.
“We were targeting 160-170 as a defendable score, but the openers gave us such a strong start that we pushed past 180-190, which turned out to be match-winning.”
He expressed confidence in their continued performance:
“I’m really pleased with how both Saim and Sahibzada are playing. Hopefully, they’ll keep performing like this.”
Strong Finish from the Bowling Unit
Discussing the final overs, Salman credited the bowlers for closing the game professionally.
“We knew that as the ball got older, even on a good pitch, it would start to grip — and that’s exactly what happened.”
He specifically praised Haris Rauf and Sufiyan Muqeem for their outstanding bowling at the death:
“They handled the pressure well and bowled brilliantly. They deserve a lot of credit.”
Confidence Building Ahead of the World Cup
With a clear goal in mind and key players stepping up, Salman Agha believes the team is headed in the right direction. This series win is not just a morale booster but also a valuable experience on the road to the T20 World Cup.
For more updates, visit the official PCB website: pcb.com.pk
