Salman Ali Agha shamelessly places Pakistan alongside India as a team after losing thrice
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has raised concerns over the team’s recent form after the third and final T20I against South Africa in Lahore. Agha said the men in green still have a strong winning percentage despite losing a series against Bangladesh and finishing second in the 2025 Asia Cup.
Pakistan registered a 2-1 victory against South Africa despite losing the first match of the series. The home team registered back-to-back wins to lift the trophy. In the final match, Pakistan achieved a target of 140 runs with six wickets and six balls to spare. Babar Azam was named Player of the Match for his half-century.
We lost the series against Bangladesh and played in the Asia Cup final – Salman Ali Agha
In his post-match press conference, Salman Ali Agha was asked about Pakistan’s recent form and the criticism surrounding it. He acknowledged the defeat in the series against Bangladesh and the second place finish in the Asia Cup, but added that the team’s overall morale remains positive.
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“Sir, we lost the series against Bangladesh and played in the Asia Cup final. So, there is definitely a story that the team’s performance is not great. But if you look at the facts, our win ratio is 70%. Any number one team in the world has that kind of ratio,” the Pakistan skipper said.
Don’t think there will be any major changes this time – Salman Ali Agha
Salman Ali Agha has said that the team will have to adapt to less efficient pitches in the upcoming 2026 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
He expects the totals to be around 140-150, especially in the latter stages, similar to the conditions seen in Sri Lanka during the 2012 and 2014 editions.
“I don’t think there will be 170 or 180 matches there; you will see scores of 140 or 150. Yes, maybe initially 160 or 170, but as you get to the business end you will get matches like 140-150. I remember the 2012 or 2014 World Cup in Sri Lanka which the West Indies won was similar; the finals were around 130-140. I don’t think there will be any major changes this time,” Agha said.
“It depends on how the field behaves. If it’s a 140-point field, then it would be foolish to try to get a score of 180-190.”
Pakistan beats South Africa at home
Pakistani bowlers restricted South Africa to 139 for 9 off 20 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi set the tone by removing Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius for ducks.
Reeza Hendricks (34 from 36), Donovan Ferreira (29 from 14 balls) and Corbin Bosch (unbeaten 30 from 23 balls) contributed to the visiting team.
Saim Ayub went for a duck, but Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan added 36 runs. Babar and Agha shared a 76-run stand that put the target within reach. Both batters in the set fell in succession, triggering a collapse as Pakistan slipped to 133 for 6.
With just seven needed from 10 balls, Faheem Ashraf and Usman Khan remained calm to finish the chase with six wickets in hand and six deliveries remaining.
Also read: Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz caught in compromising state; Shameful Pakistan
