Former captain questions Pakistan’s careless batting against Afghanistan

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has heaped praise on Salman Ali Agha for his match-winning innings while slamming the middle order for their reckless approach in the opening game of the T20I tri-series against Afghanistan in Sharjah.

Batting at No.4, Salman played a composed yet attacking knock of 53* off 36 balls, striking three fours and three sixes to lift Pakistan to 182-7.

Afghanistan, in reply, were bundled out for 143 courtesy of Haris Rauf’s brilliant four-wicket haul, as Pakistan sealed a 39-run win.

Speaking on his YouTube channel after the match, Raja said that at one stage the game was slipping away from Pakistan, and it was Salman’s innings that bailed them out.

“Pakistan made 182 on this pitch, but even then Afghanistan looked very much in the contest because conditions hadn’t changed much. If Salman Ali Agha had failed, Pakistan would have been in serious trouble,” he said.

Criticising the batting unit, the former PCB chairman noted that no player apart from Salman showed the required temperament.

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“After putting the opposition under pressure, giving away wickets so cheaply is baffling,” he added.

“The top order showed intent, but no one played a substantial innings. Some got out for 10, 15, 20, when you had Afghanistan on the back foot, why throw it away so easily?” he questioned.

Ramiz Raja credited Salman Ali Agha for displaying the maturity others lacked.

“In such situations, you have to bat smartly, and Salman did just that. Without his innings, Pakistan would have struggled to even cross 150, and Afghanistan would have been right in the game,” he added.

The former cricketer also pointed out that Sharjah’s surface is no longer the traditional slow, turning track that once heavily favoured Afghanistan’s spinners.

“This wasn’t the typical Sharjah pitch. Afghanistan threatened Pakistan, but Pakistan were more professional on the day. Full credit goes to Salman Ali Agha for setting the platform,” he concluded.

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