Sharjah: Salman Ali Agha is not too worried about the recent losses of Pakistan.
On the other hand, the captain of Pakistan T20 anxiously awaits his “quality side with exciting young people and incredible older people” in the next tri-nation series and the subsequent Asia Cup.
The team led by Salman faces Afghanistan in an opening match of the T20 Tri-Nation series in Sharjah on Friday. The event, a warming for the T20 Asia Cup next month, also includes the hosts EAU.
In addition to Afghanistan, Pakistan and the EAU, the Asia Cup will also include the defenders of India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman and Hong Kong.
The fortunes of the white ball of Pakistan submerge after they crashed with the T20 World Cup last year in the group stage before not winning a match in the Odi Champions Trophy.
This year they lost a T20 series in Bangladesh 2-1, but beat the Western Indies by the same margin.
Pakistan, Bajo Salman, is going through a transition with former Skippers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan outside the T20 team. Both veteran players have not been able to impress in international recent T20.
“We are not too worried about our classifications or the opinion of the former players and the public,” Salman told the journalists of the media conference prior to the series.
“As a team, we are not thinking about it. We are here to play good Cricket and win games. We are a new team and we are perfectly perfecting.
“We are trying to build a team and this tri-series and then the Asia Cup will be a good opportunity to achieve it. We know that both events will be challenging but we are ready.”
The captain continued: “Leading the Pakistan team is not only an honor for me, but also a great responsibility. The team is playing a good Crick at this time and I hope we continue to offer strong performances in the matches that are coming.”
The three teams in the TRI series will be played together twice, with the first two to face in a final on September 7.
Afghanistan’s captain, Rashid Khan, said his team has no “specific objectives” despite producing innovative performances in recent global events of the ICC.
Afghanistan reached the semifinals of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the United States and the Caribbean, and was lost by little to reach the last four in the Odi champion trophy organized in Pakistan in early 2025.
These performances followed an impressive presentation in the 2023 World Cup, when Afghans produced a statement won over England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
“We have no specific goals, and we don’t want to press our players additional,” Rashid said Thursday when asked if Afghanistan was pointing to the Asia Cup title.
“Our goal is to play the Cricket brand that we have played over the years. For us, the main objective is to make an effort of 200 percent in the field.
“I think it has gone well in the events of the ICC and, although we have not played the T20i Cricket in recent months, the boys have been playing in T20 leagues worldwide and that has helped.”
Afghanistan beat Pakistan 2-1 in a T20I series in the same place in 2023.
The 16-men Afghan squad for the Tri-Series series includes the mysterious spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar along with the spinning noor ahmad, Mohammad Nabi, Woman Ur Rahman and Rashid bowl companions.
The Asia Cup begins on September 9, as the teams increase their preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Rashid has asked for “unity” among followers when Afghanistan plays Pakistan.
The last time Afghanistan and Pakistan met at the Cricket Sharjah stadium, in the Cup of Asia 2022, the multitude of disturbances exploded in the stands after the game.
Special security measures will be held for Sharjah games, including followers of potential segregation.
Rashid has begged viewers to support their sides, but also respect their opposition.
“It is a message for all those who once come to see the game in the stadium,” Rashid said.
“This game is something that unites unity, unites people and brings together nations. It shows the correct message, a message of peace.
“All those who come to the ground must support their team, support the players and have fun. This game is about enjoying.
“We play this game to enjoy it and give entertainment to the crowd. I feel it is just a game. There is nothing bigger.
“So that the crowd comes and supports their teams, and the respective players, that is what I ask for them, and make sure they have fun and enjoy every moment of the game.”
The EAU team looks clear in the Tri series, but its Captain Muhammad Waseem is optimistic, they can leave a mark at the event.
The United Arab Emirates have claimed hair leather such as New Zealand and Afghanistan in recent times, and also beat Bangladesh in a T20i series in Sharjah.
The idea that they have an advantage at home for the series is debatable: Pakistan and Afghanistan have played accessories at home in the EAU in recent years.
However, Waseem has confidence in silence.
“It is home to the three teams, but the way we have prepared, the way we have played in recent years, and the work we have done in recent months, I think we are going to play a good Crick here,” said the employer.
Posted in Dawn, August 29, 2025
