Abu Dhabi: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has expressed concern over his team’s middle-order struggles, even after securing a crucial five-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday night.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Salman admitted that Pakistan still needs to improve its batting consistency.
“I cannot say it was a perfect game. We lost four wickets in just three overs. Apart from that, it could have been a perfect match. We’ve been facing this problem since Sharjah, and we really need to fix it,” the skipper said.
Praise for Coaching Staff and Players
Salman praised fielding coach Shane McDermott, acknowledging his dedication and positive impact on the team.
“He has been working really hard with the players. We call him a rockstar because of the energy and commitment he brings,” Salman remarked.
The 31-year-old captain also highlighted the efforts of Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, and Shaheen Afridi, who played key roles in Pakistan’s victory.
“Shaheen has been exceptional since his comeback. He has been a consistent match-winner for years, and his performance once again proved his value. That’s why we prefer playing multiple all-rounders—the modern game demands versatility in both batting and bowling,” Salman explained.
Looking Ahead
While happy with the result, Salman Ali Agha emphasized the importance of addressing Pakistan’s recurring batting collapses to achieve the “perfect game” standard he is chasing.
With the Asia Cup 2025 heating up, Pakistan’s ability to balance strong bowling with consistent middle-order batting will be key to their campaign success.