Pakistan captain Salman Agha spoke about the team’s preparations for the upcoming series against Australia and the T20 World Cup during a recent PCB podcast, praising player form, team depth, and the role of pressure in improving performance.

Agha confirmed that star pacer Shaheen Afridi is fit and “excited for the World Cup,” expressing confidence in his ability to perform under pressure. He emphasized that playing in high-pressure situations is always beneficial for the team, preparing them for critical matches.

Young talent shining

The captain praised Khawaja Nafi, who made a confident debut, noting his potential to represent Pakistan for years to come. “Khawaja Nafi batted confidently on debut,” Agha said. “He has the potential to play for Pakistan for a long time.”

He also highlighted Mohammad Nawaz as a “complete all-rounder” who contributes effectively with both bat and ball, and said that Shadab Khan’s return has added more strategic options to the squad.

Agha shared insights from his time with Islamabad United under coach Mike Hesson, describing him as “one of the best coaches in the world.” He credited these experiences for helping the team adapt to different game situations and refine their strategies.

On the topic of batting positions, Agha stressed that players should be ready to bat anywhere in the order. “I never think about which number to play,” he said. “The focus is on winning, and a player should be ready to play at every number.” He added that he does not worry about others’ opinions, highlighting a team-first mentality.