Pakistan cricket captain Salman Ali Agha acknowledged that the national team has failed to meet fan expectations during a press conference ahead of their upcoming series.
“We haven’t played cricket according to our fans’ expectations, and they’re understandably not happy with us,” Agha stated. “Our team is built around young players, but we’ve come here to win.”
The skipper addressed pitch conditions for the upcoming matches, noting that while the wicket appears to favor pace bowlers, spinners would likely find assistance as well. He revealed that the final playing eleven has not been decided yet.
Discussing key players’ form, Agha commented on pace duo Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. “Shaheen and Haris are performing better in T20 format compared to their ODI form,” he said, adding that performance fluctuations can affect any bowler.
The captain expressed concern about the absence of Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman from the squad. “We’ll feel the absence of Saim and Fakhar in the team. Both players have delivered significant performances for Pakistan,” Agha noted, expressing hope that both would recover from their injuries and rejoin the team soon.
Looking toward future tournaments, Agha confirmed that the Asia Cup and World Cup remain primary objectives for the team. “The Asia Cup and World Cup are our targets, and we’re preparing accordingly,” he concluded.
Pakistan’s recent performances have drawn criticism from fans and cricket analysts alike, with pressure mounting on both players and management to deliver improved results in upcoming fixtures.
The team’s preparation strategy appears focused on rebuilding confidence while integrating younger players into the squad ahead of major tournaments scheduled for later this year.
