NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s T20 captain Salman Ali Agha says he is weighing the idea of taking a step back from the shortest format to ensure he can arrive fresher for the next phase of the schedule, with an eye on the ODI World Cup and the upcoming World Test Championship cycle. The 31-year-old, who has already played 23 Tests, 50 One-Day Internationals and 52 T20 Internationals, made it clear that the 50-over showpiece remains his main focus as he tries to manage his workload in a demanding international calendar. “The World Cup is a long way to go, but yes, one has to think about managing one’s schedule and workload. If I feel (a break) can help me in preparing for the World Cup and Tests, I will do it,” he told reporters.
The ODI World Cup is scheduled to be staged across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October and November next year. Australia will begin the tournament as defending champions after winning the 2023 final against India.
Alongside his workload considerations, Salman’s recent batting returns in T20 cricket have also been scrutinised. Although he has captained Pakistan in the format for the past year, he has not been able to show the kind of steady output expected from a top leader. His struggles were particularly noticeable during the T20 World Cup, where he batted at number three and could not deliver consistently as Pakistan fell short of reaching the semifinals.
When asked about the Pakistan Super League, Salman underlined its importance as a platform for spotting emerging talent, while also cautioning against rushing players into the national team too quickly. He argued that the pathway should be more gradual, giving youngsters a chance to prove themselves in different competitive environments before being asked to perform at the international level. “I would rather like to see a process where we identify strong young talent in the PSL and send them to play in domestic cricket and then review their performances and decide if they are ready for international cricket,” he added.
Salman also pointed out that in previous cycles, some players earned international selection largely because of their PSL form, only to find the step up to the highest level more difficult than expected. His comments suggested that a steadier development route could help players transition more smoothly from franchise cricket to national duties.
