LAHORE: Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha on Wednesday said the upcoming three-match T20 series against Australia would play a key role in finalising the team’s playing XI for the T20 World Cup.
Speaking at a pre-series press conference, Agha said the series was crucial for assessing combinations and understanding which players best fit the team’s plans. He said the next three matches would provide clarity on the preferred XI as Pakistan moved forward with its preparations.
Agha emphasised that the team was focused on collective goals rather than individual recognition, adding that Pakistan was charting its own course without being influenced by external noise. He said the players were clear about their roles and understood the need to adapt according to match situations.
The Pakistan captain also urged the media to broaden its focus beyond star batter Babar Azam, saying there were several other players in the squad who deserved attention. He said questions should centre on the entire team rather than repeatedly singling out one individual.
Highlighting the importance of flexibility, Agha said players must adjust their approach based on what the team requires at a given moment. He added that whether the situation demanded a cautious or aggressive approach, individual preferences had to be secondary to team needs.
Commenting on Australia, Agha said their consistency and mindset remained strong even when key players were unavailable. He described the series as an important opportunity for Pakistan to compete strongly and aim for a series win, adding that players like Usman Tariq could prove decisive.
The three-match T20I series will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, with the opening match scheduled for Thursday. The remaining two matches will take place on January 31 and February 1. The toss for each game will be held at 5:30pm PKT, with play starting at 6:00pm.
The series will serve as vital preparation for the T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, the USA, the Netherlands and Namibia, while Australia will compete in Group B with Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman.
Earlier, the trophy for the Pakistan-Australia T20I series was unveiled at Gaddafi Stadium, with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and Australia captain Mitchell Marsh posing with the silverware ahead of the press conference.
Australia’s tour marks their third visit to Pakistan since 2022. In T20 internationals, the two sides have faced each other 28 times, with Australia winning 14 matches and Pakistan 12, while one match ended in a tie and another had no result.
