KARACHI: Karachi Kings all-rounder Salman Ali Agha has indicated that he may consider quitting T20 international cricket to manage his workload and prepare better for the upcoming ICC Men’s One Day World Cup 2027.
Speaking during a recent media conference, Agha openly reflected on his recent form in both Pakistan Super League (PSL) and international cricket, admitting that he is evaluating his long-term production strategy.
The right-handed batsman said he is carefully assessing his commitments across all formats as he looks to peak at major global events, suggesting that changes to his T20 schedule could be on the table to benefit his overall performance.
“It’s a lot of worry. I’m thinking my World Cup didn’t go well, my PSL didn’t go well. World Cup 2017 is still a long way off and as mentioned, we’ll focus on that. We don’t even have a T20 this year; no T20 till December,” Agha said.
He said his focus post-PSL could shift towards the longer formats of the game, while leaving the door open for a possible T20I break depending on his preparation needs.
“After this PSL, obviously the focus will be on ODIs and Tests. If I feel like taking a break from T20s for the 2017 World Cup, or if I don’t want to focus on that, I will definitely do that,” he added.
Agha further emphasized the importance of the 50-over World Cup in his career, saying he is ready to make the necessary changes to deliver a strong performance on the biggest stage.
“The 50-over World Cup is always very special for any player and it will be special for me too. If I have to do something, I will do it to perform well,” he said.
The 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October and November.
The tournament features 14 teams with 44 matches in South Africa and 10 each in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Australia will be the defending champions.
The 32-year-old also expressed his views on PSL’s role in shaping national team selections, saying that while the league is an important platform for identifying talent, promoting players directly to the Pakistan team based solely on PSL performances is risky.
He suggested that a more structured path moving from PSL to domestic cricket and then international cricket would better prepare players for the demands of the national side.
“I believe PSL performance should be used to identify players. New players should be recognized from here and then go to domestic cricket, perform there and get a place in the Pakistan team,” he said.
“There are many examples of players who have struggled internationally and been selected from PSL. I think PSL will definitely help in identifying players, but fast-tracking them in the Pakistan team will be tricky,” he added.