Salman Ali Agha hints at possible national call-up for two players

Islamabad United all-rounder Agha Salman has expressed delight over the performances of Hasan Ali and Sahibzada Farhan in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) and has hinted that both players could earn a spot in the national side in the future.

In a conversation with local news channel, Agha Salman said that while his primary focus in PSL is to perform for Islamabad United and help his team win, he is also closely observing players who could potentially benefit Pakistan in the long run.

“I’m keeping a close eye on the form and fitness of players who may go on to represent Pakistan or whom I may have to lead one day,” he shared.

Though Agha refrained from naming any young player directly, he praised the form of Hasan Ali and Sahibzada Farhan, subtly indicating that he sees them as strong candidates for a return to the national squad.

“It’s still early in the tournament — each team has only played two or three games so far. But once we’re seven or eight matches in, we’ll have a clearer picture of who is performing consistently,” he noted. “The way Hasan is bowling and the form Farhan is showing — they will definitely be on the radar.”

Speaking about modern-day cricket, Agha emphasized the importance of adapting to the pace and demands of today’s game. “Modern-day cricket is all about maintaining the right tempo. It’s essential to play according to the match situation and conditions.”

He explained, “If you're chasing, play at the required run rate. If you're batting first, aim to post a par score. Sometimes, things don’t go as planned — and that’s acceptable — but we have players who can meet the demands of modern cricket.”

Agha expressed hope that Pakistan will play improved and exciting cricket in upcoming assignments. “In the upcoming T20I series, Asia Cup, and World Cup, we’ll try to play the kind of cricket that fans want to see.”

He further added that entertainment in cricket doesn’t mean reckless hitting. “Entertainment means controlling the game with the required pace — not just hitting blindly.”

Commenting on young players, Agha said, “Youngsters sometimes make mistakes due to inexperience, but what matters most is that they learn from those mistakes.”

He also underlined the continued importance of bowlers in a batter-friendly era. “Batters win you matches, but bowlers win you tournaments. Even on high-scoring pitches, if your bowlers can save 10–15 runs, it makes a big difference.”

Looking ahead to PSL 10, Agha Salman said his goal is to help Islamabad United lift their fourth trophy. However, he acknowledged Lahore Qalandars as a strong opponent. “If Lahore continues the momentum they’ve built, they will be tough to beat.”

Agha, who previously played for Lahore Qalandars, added with a smile, “I’m from Lahore, so when Islamabad isn’t playing, I secretly hope Lahore wins.”

He concluded by saying that Islamabad United’s good start in PSL 10 has boosted the team’s confidence, and he hopes they continue their winning momentum.