Salman Ali Agha Optimistic Ahead of Pakistan’s T20I Series Opener Against New Zealand

Christchurch: Pakistan’s T20 International (T20I) captain, Salman Ali Agha, is looking forward to a fresh start as his team prepares for the series opener against New Zealand on Sunday. Speaking at a pre-series press conference, the 31-year-old all-rounder expressed confidence in his team’s abilities and shared his optimism for a strong performance in the upcoming matches.

“We didn’t play up to our own standards or meet the expectations of our fans, which is why they are disappointed. However, we have a new team, and that doesn’t mean we don’t have the potential to perform. There are experienced players in the squad, and we believe we have a strong combination that can play good cricket and secure victories,” Salman said.

His comments come after a string of defeats to the Black Caps in recent back-to-back tournaments, including the Tri-Nation Series and the ICC Champions Trophy, both held in New Zealand.

Despite the challenges, Salman emphasized the team’s readiness, acknowledging the significant role of spinners in the upcoming series. “The pitch looks green, but spinners will also find some assistance. We have top bowlers like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, who have performed well in T20 cricket. Although we’ll miss key players like Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, they are recovering quickly and should be available soon,” he stated.

Salman also addressed the ongoing transition phase within Pakistan cricket, focusing on the need to develop new combinations after years of heavy reliance on stalwarts like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. “Babar and Rizwan have made significant contributions to Pakistan cricket, but now we are working on building a new team. The final playing XI hasn’t been decided yet, but we’re confident in our squad and are focused on delivering strong performances,” he added.

The white-ball series between Pakistan and New Zealand consists of five T20Is, followed by three One Day Internationals (ODIs), with the series running until April 5. This series will also mark the debut of young talents Abdul Samad and Hassan Nawaz, who have earned their maiden call-ups to the national team.

The last T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand was held in April 2024, when New Zealand toured Pakistan. The five-match series ended in a 2-2 draw, with the first match in Rawalpindi washed out due to rain.

New Zealand T20I Squad:

• Michael Bracewell (capt), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zakary Foulkes, Mitchell Hay, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.

Pakistan T20I Squad:

• Salman Ali Agha (capt), Shadab Khan (vice-capt), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousaf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan.

Schedule for Pakistan’s Tour of New Zealand:

• March 16 – First T20I, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
• March 18 – Second T20I, University Oval, Dunedin
• March 21 – Third T20I, Eden Park, Auckland
• March 23 – Fourth T20I, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
• March 26 – Fifth T20I, Sky Stadium, Wellington
• March 29 – First ODI, McLean Park, Napier
• April 2 – Second ODI, Seddon Park, Hamilton
• April 5 – Third ODI, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui