Pakistan’s T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has confirmed that the team management has finalized a 25-player pool in preparation for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Speaking to reporters during the team’s final training session in Karachi ahead of their Bangladesh tour, he stressed the importance of developing bench strength to ensure that every player can be replaced at any time without affecting team balance.
Salman shared that senior players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi remain integral to the squad and are part of the pool. “Shaheen is a match-winner. His performances need no introduction,” he said. He also explained that although improving in Test cricket remains a long-term goal, the current focus is on T20s because of the proximity of the World Cup.
Regarding Mohammad Nawaz’s surprise inclusion, Salman clarified that he was added due to Shadab Khan’s injury. The management was seeking a like-for-like replacement, and Nawaz’s skill set matched what was needed. “Form goes up and down,” Salman noted, “but we also consider a player’s experience, temperament, and role-specific utility.”
The skipper added that the Karachi training camp was chosen deliberately due to spin-friendly conditions, mirroring those expected in Bangladesh. He said the players trained with full focus and intensity. “We’ve prepared with future series in mind,” he said, highlighting their aim to be tactically and mentally ready for challenging overseas conditions.
Salman concluded by addressing his captaincy role, saying that he doesn’t focus on whether he’ll lead in future series. “I focus on the task at hand. My job is to get the best out of my players,” he said. He acknowledged Bangladesh’s strength at home, noting that they’ve beaten top-tier teams in their conditions. He also called for continuity in coaching and captaincy, stating that lasting success requires systemic consistency, not short-term experiments.