Islamabad United’s Salman Agha talks about his T20 transformation, leadership mindset, and the vital role of local stars in PSL’s future
Salman Agha knows how to read a game—and now, he wants the world to read him right too. Fresh off a gritty 41* off 34 balls in the PSL 2025 opener, the Islamabad United star is steadily reshaping his reputation from a format misfit to a T20 leader. But when asked if T20 is his least natural format, his wry smile says it all.
“People say that, but I don’t focus on it,” he says. “I believe I can play all three formats.”
And he’s proving just that. Agha entered the PSL 2024 as a wildcard pick by Islamabad United in the Silver category, with a T20 career strike rate under 112 and an underwhelming PSL record. But what followed was a stunning transformation.
From Overlooked to Essential: A T20 Reinvention
Before joining United, Salman hadn’t played a single T20I and hadn’t featured in the PSL for two years. Then came his breakout innings—a 64* off 31 balls—and the floodgates opened. He closed PSL 2024 as United’s second-highest run-scorer (310 runs at a strike rate of 140.27) and helped secure the championship title.
“Missing those seasons taught me a lot,” he says. “I learned to read the game better. In T20s, you think there’s no time, but there is—if you stay calm and take it deep.”
The Data That Changed Everything
With no recent T20 form to lean on, Islamabad United’s leadership, including Mike Hesson and Shadab Khan, took a different route. They analyzed his ODI and Test performances. The results were clear—Agha had evolved into a versatile, dependable batter.
“His ODI entry points were often in high-pressure situations,” says Rehan-ul-Haq, United’s GM. “We needed someone who could stabilize and attack when needed.”
That vision has paid off.
A Shift in Islamabad’s Game Plan
United have built a reputation for aggressive chases. But with Agha, a more measured approach has emerged. In this season’s opener, he took just 6 off his first 11 balls before pacing the chase—proving the team’s adaptability.
“People think Islamabad always go all out,” he says. “But we respect the pitch. We adapt. That’s how you win consistently.”
T20I Captaincy and National Ambitions
Salman’s T20 rise hasn’t gone unnoticed—he’s now Pakistan’s full-time T20I captain. But it hasn’t been smooth sailing. Despite a strike rate below 117 and eight losses in 11 T20Is, Agha is focused on doing what the team needs.
“I’ve stopped thinking about where I bat,” he says. “As captain, I’ll take on the toughest position if that’s what the team needs.”
What Sets Salman Agha Apart
At 28, he entered international cricket with years of first-class experience—a grounding that’s helped him adapt quickly across formats. Since his debut, no Pakistani has a higher ODI strike rate (minimum 20 innings), and he’s second only to Saud Shakeel in Test average during that period.
“International success doesn’t come by accident,” he explains. “You have to raise your level and develop new skills.”
The Bigger Picture: PSL Needs Local Superstars
As Pakistan cricket navigates a rocky patch, Agha believes the future of the Pakistan Super League doesn’t depend solely on international form—it depends on local talent stepping up.
“No league grows without local stars,” he says. “We—Pakistan’s players—need to become superstars. That’s how PSL becomes world-class.”
Final Word
With a game built on awareness, adaptability, and calm under pressure, Salman Agha is more than a T20 late bloomer—he’s an embodiment of what the PSL needs right now. And as he continues to lead Islamabad United from the front, he might just inspire the next generation of local stars the league so desperately needs.