Usman Tariq can be our trump card for the T20 World Cup, says captain Salman Ali Agha

LAHORE: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha opened up about his flexible role in the team and praised spinner Usman Tariq during a candid press conference, emphasizing that personal preferences must give way to what the team requires in international cricket.

When asked about his position in the batting order and recent performances, Salman Ali Agha said, “You are looking at the stats of number three, but I haven’t played there in Sri Lanka. Of course, I know my stats, but sometimes you have to do what the team demands. If you are in the eleven, you can’t decide which number you want — you have to play the role of the team.”

The captain also stressed that his approach depends on the situation. “At that moment, it was a situation where we had to use the powerplay because almost 14 runs were required continuously. So if the situation comes, I will play aggressively. If the situation is different and the team doesn’t demand it, I will adjust accordingly. If six runs are needed, I will do that. If 10 or 12 are required, I will try to achieve that too,” he explained.

Salman Ali Agha also highlighted the team’s strength in spin, noting that Usman Tariq has been planned as a potential “trump card” who can make a decisive impact if conditions favor him. “We have very good spinners, and Usman is part of our plan. If everything goes according to the plan, he could be a real game-changer,” he said.

The press conference underlined Agha’s team-first mentality, with the captain stressing adaptability, situational awareness, and support for younger players as Pakistan prepares for critical upcoming T20 fixtures.