NEW DELHI: While the cricketing world remains in suspense over the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) final decision regarding their team's participation in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup, captain Salman Ali Agha has provided some clarity on the on-field strategy by firmly establishing his batting position for the global tournament.
Travel Plans Signal Likely Participation
Pakistan's cricket team is scheduled to depart for Colombo early on February 2, a move that has been widely interpreted as a strong indication that the team will indeed take part in the tournament, which is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka and begins on February 7. A source close to the board revealed to PTI that all travel arrangements have already been finalized, making a last-minute boycott appear highly improbable.
Captain's Clear Batting Intentions
Even as political and administrative uncertainties continue to swirl, Salman Ali Agha has made it unequivocally clear that Pakistan's on-field preparations are well underway. Following Pakistan's opening T20I victory over Australia in Lahore, the skipper confirmed that he will occupy the crucial No. 3 batting position throughout the World Cup campaign.
"Yes, I'll be batting at No. 3. We expect to face a lot of spin bowling during the tournament, and I believe I have the capability to dominate spin during the Powerplay overs. That's precisely why I moved up the order, and that is where I intend to stay," Salman stated in comments quoted by the International Cricket Council.
Strategic Shift for the Right-Hander
This decision represents a significant tactical shift for the right-handed batsman, who has traditionally batted lower down the order in T20 International matches. His promotion was evident during the recent match against Australia, where he crafted a fluent 39 runs while batting at No. 3, effectively anchoring Pakistan's innings during their 22-run victory.
Confidence in Bowling Unit
While reflecting on the team's performance against Australia, Salman acknowledged that Pakistan could have pushed for a more substantial total with the bat but expressed unwavering confidence in his bowling unit. "We started well but couldn't finish the innings the way we had hoped. After the first 10 overs, the ball stopped coming onto the bat as nicely," he explained. "To be completely honest, I felt that 170 runs would be sufficient. Our spin bowling department is truly outstanding, and I knew it would present significant challenges for the Australian batters."
Pakistan successfully defended their total of 168 runs, with Australian batters struggling considerably against the spin attack, ultimately losing six wickets during their chase.
Off-Field Speculation Persists
Despite these on-field developments, speculation regarding Pakistan's participation in the tournament has refused to subside, particularly following Bangladesh's removal from the competition. However, insiders familiar with the situation maintain that the PCB's cautious approach is fundamentally rooted in protecting Pakistan cricket's long-term interests and maintaining positive relations with the International Cricket Council.
The coming days are expected to bring final clarity as the tournament approaches, but for now, Pakistan's captain has at least settled one important aspect of his team's World Cup preparations with his definitive batting position announcement.
