Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha has expressed his readiness and enthusiasm to embrace the challenge of being the team’s sole spinner in the upcoming first Test against Bangladesh. The match, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, is scheduled to take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21-25.
With Pakistan’s selectors opting for an all-pace attack, Salman stands as the only spinner in the squad for the Rawalpindi Test. Despite the added responsibility, Salman remains confident and unfazed. Speaking at a press conference at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, he emphasized his preparedness for the task ahead.
“I have played as the sole spinner in Australia and performed well there,” Salman said. “There’s no pressure, and I’m fully prepared to meet the challenge.”
Salman also noted that the pitch conditions at Rawalpindi are expected to favor fast bowlers, which influenced the selectors’ decision to omit a specialist spinner from the squad.
“The pitch in Rawalpindi looks green and seems to be more supportive of fast bowlers,” he observed.
Beyond the technical aspects of the game, Salman highlighted the positive team environment and the strong camaraderie among the players. He emphasized that the team remains focused on their game and pays little attention to external noise, particularly on social media.
“The atmosphere within the team is very healthy. We support each other like brothers and friends, and we’re not concerned with what’s happening on social media,” Salman explained.
In a related development, the second Test of the series, originally scheduled to be held in Karachi from August 30 to September 3, has been relocated to Rawalpindi due to ongoing construction work at the National Bank Stadium.
The team’s focus now turns to the Rawalpindi pitch, where they aim to start the series on a strong note, with Salman ready to play a pivotal role in their efforts.
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