Why fear? When Salman Ali Agha is here.
- Fahad Bin Khalid
- October 9, 2024
- 1:57 pm
- 27
Salman Ali Agha proved to be a key player for Pakistan against England. He showed great form and handled pressure well. His century was the highlight of Pakistan's innings, as he piled up runs and put the English bowlers under heavy pressure.
Salman: The Unsung Hero
Salman Ali Agha is a Pakistani player who often gets less attention than Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan. However, on Tuesday, he showed great skill and determination against England. This performance made him an important part of Pakistan's batting lineup.
Salman Ali Agha is known for his strong technique and mental toughness in Pakistan's domestic red-ball cricket. When Pakistan lost wickets quickly and seemed to lose control of the game at 393 for 6, Salman stepped up. His calm yet aggressive approach helped turn the match around when it could have slipped away from Pakistan.
Dominating England’s Spin Attack
Salman did not take much time to consolidate himself against the English bowling attack led by Jack Leach. Salman dominated the session, as he faced 61 deliveries from Leach and put 65 runs on the board at a quick pace. His confident footwork and bold style against spin bowling were exciting to see. One standout moment was when he hit Leach for six after almost getting out. This showed his aggressive mindset and strong focus.
Salman shared his approach to spin bowling: he always targets spinners, no matter the match situation. This mindset worked well against Leach, who struggled to stop him from scoring. During this innings, Salman reached several personal milestones, including his one thousand Test run and his century.
Pressure Transfer
Salman's inning was not just about survival under pressure, but transferring that pressure to the opposition. As he kept on building his innings, frustration in England was mounting. Fielding mistakes hurt England's chances, with missed stumpings and dropped catches. Salman took advantage of these errors to score more runs. His partnership with Shaheen Afridi showed that he could control the game and keep pressure on England's bowlers.
At times, England's strategy looked too defensive. However, with Salman leading, his strong will and steady play helped Pakistan keep scoring. He showed how to play safely while rotating the strike and hence kept the pressure firmly on England as it scrambled and kept him at bay.
Salman's Contribution to Pakistan's Success
One of the best things about Salman Ali Agha's batting is his role in the lower-middle order. Usually, runs from lower-order batters are seen as bonuses, and Salman is no different. Since his Test debut, he has consistently added important runs for Pakistan. In fact, in this particular WTC cycle, no side has scored more runs from 5-8 than Pakistan. That is largely because Salman has also played his part in that task.
Salman's batting with a tail can prove to be a goldmine for Pakistan, especially when their top order fails to make a mark. His unbeaten century against England was more than a personal milestone, as it reminded him of his outsized role in Pakistan's batting line-up. No other batter has scored more runs in positions 7 and 8 than Salman since he made his debut.
A Turning Point for Pakistan
It wasn't just one player shining in the innings; it marked a much-needed return to form and confidence for Pakistan after a tough time. Their recent losses, including a ten-wicket defeat to Bangladesh, raised doubts about their consistency. However, Salman's performance showed that the team is starting to regain its strength.
As Pakistan continues its Test series against England, Salman Ali Agha's century will be remembered as an important moment. Salman's ability to handle pressure shifted the momentum to Pakistan and put the opposing team at a disadvantage. The last four wickets added 163 runs, shifting the game in Pakistan's favor. England missed chances and their tired bowlers let the match slip away.
England's tactics sometimes looked too defensive. However, with Salman in control, his strong will and steady play kept Pakistan's score climbing.
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