'We can avoid…': Salman Ali Agha sends strong message before T20 World Cup opener

NEW DELHI: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha on Friday said the side will look to block out the off-field noise around its proposed boycott of the India match and instead concentrate on winning their remaining group fixtures to qualify for the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup.

Former champions Pakistan, who lifted the trophy in 2009, enter the tournament after deciding to boycott their February 15 group clash against arch-rivals India in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were replaced by Scotland after declining to travel to India due to security concerns.

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Asked how he plans to handle the situation, Salman told reporters:
"By just avoiding that. It's something we, as a group, we don't really talk about and we don't really see what's happening outside in the group. And I think that's the best we can do. We can avoid all this and just focus on our game."

No-handshake issue and role model debate

Since September last year, Indian cricket teams have followed a no-handshake policy with Pakistan teams in international matches as a mark of solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam attack.

"We don't really feel hurt or anything like that. But for the game it is not good. These things obviously should not happen," Salman said.

"Growing up as a kid, I've always seen people doing what was required for the game to be improved. We, to some extent, are role models. If you do that, then kids are going to pick up this and tomorrow, they are going to do the same things.

"So, I think these things should not happen. Because if you think of role models, I think role models don't do this stuff."

Must-win situation, but no pressure claims

By boycotting the game against India, Pakistan will forfeit the two points on offer, meaning the former champions must win their remaining three group matches to advance to the knockout stage.

Apart from India, Pakistan are grouped alongside the Netherlands, USA and Namibia.

Asked whether the team is under pressure to win the opening matches, Salman said:
"No, there is no pressure at all because whenever you come to an ICC tournament, you have to win almost all of your games.

"And when we came here, we thought that we will win all the games and give our best. In the same way, we will try to give our best in the games that we play."

Weather worries, performance focus and team concerns

Pakistan could also face weather-related challenges in Colombo, the venue for their group-stage encounters.

Their lone warm-up match against Ireland here on February 4 was abandoned due to heavy rain.

"Weather is not in our control ... the thing that is not in control, there is no point in trying to control it. And we only think about how to win the three matches that we have..."

Reflecting on the off-field controversies surrounding recent India-Pakistan games, Salman said:
"In the past two events more than cricket we are being asked about other things, which I think is not good.

"We have come here as a sportsman and we come to talk about cricket and play cricket. So, it's better things stay to that extent only. We as a team and as an individual, try not to let these things affect us, and don't see or think about these things much, because it is better to avoid such things for yourself and for the better of your game."

Pakistan have endured a difficult record against India in ICC tournaments, but Salman is hopeful of turning things around.

"As a professional, we are ambassadors of our country. We represent our country here. And our effort is that only - you cannot doubt anyone's effort or ability. But yes, we do not have the results. We cannot run away from that.

"We have to honestly say that we did not play the kind of cricket that people expect from us. Or as a team, we expect from ourselves. We have that idea and our effort is that we enhance our game and the mistakes that we made earlier, should not be repeated. And in this tournament, we will also try to do this."

Salman conceded that death bowling remains an area of concern.

"Death bowling is definitely our concern. But if you look at the last six months, there is a lot of improvement. And we have our coaches and our bowlers who are present here right now, they are doing a lot of work, and they have an idea about this. And they definitely have concerns about this.

"They are also trying to overcome it. So, hopefully, the things that have been happening earlier, will not repeat in this tournament."

There has also been debate over the side-arm bowling action of Usman Tariq, but Salman backed the spinner, calling him an “X factor”.

"I don't understand why we are talking about his action. Because in my opinion, it is a fair action. And he has been tested twice. And he has cleared it," he said.

"Yes, he is the X Factor of the team. And where we feel that we need an X Factor, we will definitely use him there."

(With PTI Inputs)