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Pakistan’s T20I captain, Salman Ali Agha, recently opened up in a candid interview with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), offering insights into his teammates’ personalities and his own unique talents.
Since taking on the T20I captaincy earlier this year, Agha has proven to be not only a leader on the field but also someone with a sense of humour off it.
When asked to imagine his teammates in film roles, Agha had plenty of playful ideas.
He placed Pakistan’s top batter, Babar Azam, in the lead as the hero, while fast bowler Haris Rauf, with his fiery on-field persona, would fit the role of a villain.
Agha also gave pacer Hasan Ali the title of the team’s comedian and suggested Abdullah Shafique would be best suited for the role of a love-struck character.
As for Fakhar Zaman, Agha cheekily cast him as a singer and said he would cast Zaman in a ‘musical’ role.
Agha didn’t stop there; he reflected on his own life choices, joking that if he weren’t a cricketer, he would have likely been a businessman. He also revealed that, given a magical ability, he would erase social media platforms.
The T20I captain then delved into his love for poetry, quoting a line from renowned poet Allama Iqbal: “Muntazir mere zawal k hain, Mere apne bhi kamal k hain” (My downfall is awaited, even my own are amazed by my success). His poetic side gives cricet fans a glimpse of his interests off-the-pitch.
When it came to his teammates’ quirks, Agha provided some humorous insights.
Young cricketer Saim Ayub, he noted, has trouble handling hunger, while Shadab Khan is known for his love of food. Despite his playful nature, Agha revealed that it is often Babar Azam who picks up the tab when the team dines out.
If the going ever gets tough, Agha shared that he would call his wife first, followed by Abdullah Shafique.
Adding a personal touch, Agha revealed he feels content with his one marriage and misses the freedom he once had before tying the knot.
He also spoke fondly of the fun nicknames that circulate among teammates, such as “No-look-shot” for Saim Ayub and “Chowda” for Saud Shakeel, a reference to Shakeel’s larger-than-life attitude. Babar Azam is affectionately called “Bobby” and Fakhar Zaman is known as “Fauji” (soldier).
In closing, Agha shared his thoughts on match situations, stating that if six runs were needed off the final ball, he would send Hasan Nawaz to bat, referencing Nawaz’s standout performances in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL).
This engaging conversation shed light on the dynamics of Pakistan’s national cricket team, revealing the camaraderie, humour, and unique qualities that define Pakistan’s cricket team both on and off the field.
