Win Projections to be updated soon
Lahore, 7 December 2025:
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha says the national side has “finally found the right track” after a year of relentless cricket, personal growth and a renewed push toward the 2026 World Cup. In an in-depth appearance on the PCB Podcast, the all-rounder opened up about leadership pressures, squad planning and the friendships that have shaped his career.
Agha, who played a remarkable 56 international matches this year, said the workload forced him to take a rare month-long break. He skipped league cricket to protect his fitness ahead of a demanding early-2026 calendar. “If you play all three formats, recovery becomes as important as fitness,” he said. “I want to stay fresh for what’s coming.”
Pakistan’s recent successes, including two series wins and a tri-nation title have strengthened his belief in the team’s direction. He revealed that World Cup preparation has been under way for six months, with roles clearly defined and little room for late changes. “We shouldn’t make major adjustments now,” Agha said. “The combination we’ve built deserves trust heading into the World Cup.”
Reflecting on captaincy, he admitted the responsibility initially affected his batting. “Being Pakistan captain is an added pressure. Learning to separate batting from leadership took time,” he said. “But I’ve grown a lot in the last six or seven months.”
Agha also spoke warmly about teammate Babar Azam, whose resurgence in T20I cricket came under his captaincy. He rejected framing Babar as a superstar figure, describing him instead as a close friend. “When my form dipped after the Asia Cup, he supported me,” Agha said. “We talk as friends, not as captain and former captain.”
The Lahore-born cricketer credited his rise to early struggles and the support of coach Malik Sarwar Mahmood. “My journey is unreal,” Agha said. “I grew up near the railway station, played club cricket at Apollo, and spent 10 years in domestic cricket before breaking through. Those hardships shaped me.”
As he looks ahead to another packed international year, Agha remains grounded and motivated. “If I’ve played every match for Pakistan in a population of 250 million, there’s no one luckier than me,” he said. “I want to do it again next year.”
