“I wish that if I ever come to a press conference, I don’t have to answer questions about Babar alone, Salman Ali Agha flared up over questions about Babar Azam

LAHORE: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha addressed mounting questions about Babar Azam’s form during a press conference on Monday, emphasizing that the team’s approach remains focused on execution and preparation, rather than on criticism or individual players.

When asked whether Babar’s performance will improve in the upcoming match on January 29, Agha said: “We hope that Babar’s performance will be much better than before after the Big Bash incident. His batting performance will be enhanced soon. Let him bat, he was batting well, and for me, he is performing very well for us.”

The captain appeared frustrated with repeated questions targeting the star batter, noting that Pakistan has 14 other batsmen in the squad whose contributions should also be acknowledged. “I wish that if I ever come to a press conference, I don’t have to answer questions about Babar alone. Think about the other players too,” he said.

Agha also addressed broader criticism of Pakistan’s recent performances, particularly against top-tier teams. Journalists pointed out that while Pakistan has won the Tri-Nation series and the Asia Cup final over the past few months, the team has struggled against bigger sides such as India and Australia.

Responding firmly, Agha said: “In T20 cricket, no team is small or big. We don’t look at opponents as easy or difficult. Every team is challenging, and we focus on improving our cricket and executing our plans. Be it a number one side or a team below us, we approach every game the same way.”

Looking ahead to the pre-World Cup series against Australia, Agha stressed that these matches are vital for assessing team combinations and strategies. “These are important games which will give us an idea of our playing elements and combinations. There are many boxes we have to tick, and we aim to tick all of them in this series, God willing,” he added.

The press conference highlighted a blend of support and scrutiny for Babar Azam, while underlining Agha’s commitment to team unity and preparation over reacting to criticism. As Pakistan prepares for its next match on January 29, all eyes will be on whether Babar can regain his top form and lead the team to victory.