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KARACHI: Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has indicated that he could step away from the shorter format for a period as he looks to manage his workload and refocus on long-term goals, particularly the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027.
Speaking after Karachi Kings’ clash against Islamabad United in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, the Pakistan T20I captain opened up about his recent struggles and evolving priorities across formats.
Agha admitted that his performances in both franchise and international cricket have not met expectations, prompting him to reassess his approach moving forward.
“There is a lot of concern. I have been thinking that my T20 World Cup did not go the way I wanted, and my PSL has also not been as good as I expected,” he said during the post-match press conference.
The right-handed batter highlighted that Pakistan do not have a packed T20I calendar in the coming months, which could allow him the flexibility to shift focus towards red-ball and 50-over cricket after the PSL concludes.
“I think the World Cup 2027 is still far away. And we don’t have T20Is until December, so after this PSL, the focus will naturally move towards ODIs and Test matches,” he added.
“If I feel that taking a break from T20s will help me prepare better for the ODI World Cup, then I will definitely consider it.”
Salman Ali Agha underlined the significance of the 50-over World Cup in shaping his career ambitions, making it clear that he is prepared to make tough decisions if it enhances his chances of performing on the global stage.
“The 50-over World Cup is always very special for any player, and it will be special for me as well. If I have to do anything, I will do it to perform well,” he stated.
The upcoming 2027 edition of the tournament is scheduled to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with 14 teams set to compete across multiple venues.
Currently featuring in his first PSL season for Karachi Kings, Agha has endured a modest run, scoring 84 runs in six matches at an average of 14.00, while also picking up three wickets. His struggles were also evident during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where he managed just 60 runs in six innings.
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