Pakistan will continue backing their all-rounder-centric strategy as they enter the T20 tri-series featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, beginning Tuesday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The same venue will host all matches, with the tournament opener pitting Pakistan against Zimbabwe.
The approach — shaped by white-ball head coach Mike Hesson since his appointment in May — has drawn criticism for sidelining specialist batters and bowlers. But T20 captain Salman Ali Agha defended the strategy, calling Pakistan’s depth in all-rounders a “luxury” the team intends to exploit.
“Most of our all-rounders can bowl four overs and bat really well,” Salman said in Monday’s pre-series press conference. “Nawaz and Faheem are full bowlers and full batters. Top teams rely on such players — we consider it an opportunity.”
Pakistan will field the squad announced earlier this month, with the only omission being batter Hasan Nawaz, who was dropped to regain form in first-class cricket. While no official replacement was confirmed, power-hitter Abdul Samad is expected to fill the lower middle-order finisher’s role.
“In the middle-order we haven’t performed the way we want,” Salman admitted. “Hasan isn’t here, but Samad can bat at six and finish games.”
With the T20 World Cup approaching in February–March, Pakistan are unlikely to experiment heavily. “We’ll try to give chances to all 15 players, but winning remains the priority,” Salman said, stressing that no team in T20 cricket can be taken lightly.
Reflecting on his own struggles — just 72 runs in seven Asia Cup innings — Salman acknowledged he had “not been in the best frame of mind”. However, a recent ODI century against Sri Lanka and earlier fifty against South Africa have restored his confidence. “I’ll try to carry this form into the T20s,” he added.
