Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: As the cricketing world awaits final confirmation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on the team’s participation in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, captain Salman Ali Agha has removed at least one uncertainty by firmly locking in his batting position for the global event.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Pakistan are scheduled to depart for Colombo early on February 2, a move that has been widely interpreted as a strong signal that the team will take part in the tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7. A source close to the board told PTI that all travel arrangements are already in place, making a last-minute boycott highly unlikely.
Even as the political and administrative suspense continues, Salman has made it clear that on-field plans are already taking shape. Following Pakistan’s opening T20I win over Australia in Lahore, the skipper confirmed that he will bat at No. 3 during the World Cup.“Yes, I’ll be batting at No. 3. We expect to face a lot of spin, and I believe I can dominate spin during the Powerplay. That’s why I moved up, and that is where I’ll stay,” Salman was quoted as saying by the ICC.The decision marks a significant shift for the right-hander, who has traditionally batted lower down the order in T20Is. His promotion was on display against Australia, where he struck a fluent 39 at No.3 to anchor Pakistan’s innings in their 22-run victory.
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Salman admitted Pakistan could have pushed on further with the bat but expressed confidence in his bowling unit. “We started well but couldn’t finish the way we wanted. After the first 10 overs, the ball stopped coming onto the bat,” he said. “To be honest, I felt 170 was enough. Our spin bowling is outstanding, and I knew it would be tough for them.”Pakistan defended 168 successfully, with Australian batters struggling against spin, losing six wickets in the chase.Off the field, speculation over Pakistan’s participation has refused to die down, following Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament. However, insiders insist the PCB’s approach is rooted in protecting Pakistan cricket’s long-term interests and maintaining relations with the ICC.
