Tue Oct 28 15:50:00 UTC 2025: Summary: Pakistan’s T20I captain, Salman Ali Agha, explained the selection of Usman Khan for the South Africa series, citing his middle-order batting abilities, especially against spin, and his strong Pakistan Super League (PSL) record. Salman also emphasized learning from past mistakes in the Asia Cup and tri-nation series to prepare for the upcoming World Cup. He highlighted adapting to match situations rather than blindly chasing high scores in modern cricket.
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Usman Khan’s Spin Mastery Earns Him Spot in Pakistan T20I Squad Against South Africa
RAWALPINDI: Usman Khan’s inclusion in the Pakistan T20I squad facing South Africa was driven by his ability to handle spin in the middle order, according to captain Salman Ali Agha. With the first match kicking off tomorrow at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Salman emphasized the need for a wicket-keeper batter who could navigate the middle overs effectively, especially with upcoming tours to spin-friendly Sri Lanka.
“We wanted a keeper who could bat in the middle order and handle the middle overs, particularly against spin,” Salman explained. He acknowledged Usman’s less impressive international record but highlighted his strong performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). “In the PSL, he bats really well against spin in the middle overs.”
Looking ahead, Salman emphasized learning from past experiences, particularly the Asia Cup and the preceding tri-nation series. “We’ll continue from where our journey left off. We learned a lot… We’ll try to fix the mistakes we made.” The focus is on refining their game in preparation for the World Cup.
Addressing the evolution of cricket, Salman stressed the importance of adapting to match conditions rather than blindly aiming for high scores. “We don’t blindly aim for 180 or 190; we look at the situation,” he concluded.
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