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Pakistan’s T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has dismissed social media chatter surrounding his relationship with star batter Babar Azam, following reports that he had unfollowed his longtime friend on Instagram.
The rumour mill had been abuzz over a supposed fallout between the two cricketers, but Salman used the post-match press conference after Pakistan’s 3-0 T20I series whitewash against Bangladesh to put the speculation to rest.
“Babar and I go way back — we’ve been friends since 2008, from our school days,” Salman told reporters in Lahore.
“There was no social media back then, and to be honest, I never followed him online. So the talk about unfollowing doesn’t even make sense. People just like to create stories — there’s nothing behind it.”
Turning his attention to cricket, Salman Ali Agha praised the young squad for their dominant performance against Bangladesh and reiterated his commitment to playing an aggressive, fan-friendly brand of cricket.
“I’m really pleased with how the youngsters have stepped up. Our goal is simple, we want to play cricket that entertains the fans and puts the opposition under pressure,” he said.
Looking ahead, the Pakistan captain outlined the team’s upcoming schedule, which includes tours of Bangladesh and the West Indies. He hinted at tactical adjustments based on conditions, especially in the Caribbean.
“We’ll be heading to Bangladesh next, then to the West Indies. The pitches there could demand more spin options,” he noted.
“If the Asia Cup goes ahead, it’s likely to be held in Dubai — conditions there suit us as well.”
Salman Ali Agha made it clear that Pakistan’s playing philosophy will remain bold and fearless under his leadership.
“As long as I’m captain, we’ll play this proactive style. Whether it’s batting or bowling, we’ll keep the opposition guessing,” he asserted.
“We tried this approach in New Zealand too, but the conditions were a challenge.”
Speaking about team selection, he confirmed that the current group forms the core of the squad, but emphasized that doors remain open for performers from the domestic circuit and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
“This group is our core, but nobody’s shut out. We’re keeping a close eye on performances in domestic cricket and the PSL,” he said.
