A lot has shifted for Pakistan’s T20 side since their last series, where they faced New Zealand shortly after a disappointing Champions Trophy on home turf. Fast forward to their recent home series against Bangladesh, and the team has undergone changes in coaching personnel and strategy, resulting in a convincing 3-0 victory – a stark contrast to the 4-1 series loss in New Zealand.
Captain Salman Agha, however, believes their playing philosophy retained its essence. He explains that Pakistan has sought to downplay the traditional anchor role in favour of more dynamic play. In a team often swayed by a couple of poor results, maintaining a consistent style across these series marks a significant development.
“As long as I’m captain, this is how we’ll play,” Salman asserted following their seven-wicket triumph in the third T20I. “This approach is the future of cricket; it’s about exerting pressure on both bowlers and batters. In New Zealand, conditions challenged us, but our players learned to play fearlessly yet responsibly. We’ve struck that balance well in this series.”
Finding that balance is notoriously tricky, as Shane Warne’s advice to “tee off (not recklessly)” encapsulates. However, Pakistan appears to have found that sweet spot, especially through Mohammad Haris. After initial early setbacks, Haris recalibrated his innings, morphing from a cautious start into the explosive player Salman envisions. The culmination of his efforts was a remarkable unbeaten 46-ball 107, propelling Pakistan to a clean sweep.
Haris, often criticised for reckless play, demonstrated a refined approach to the game. Salman remarked: “Haris gets accused of not using his brain during T20 innings. In this series, when we were 5 for 2 [in the first game], he took calculated risks. I believe players like Haris, Saim [Ayub], and Hasan [Nawaz] can become matchwinners under my captaincy.”
Though Salman states “the door is not closed for anybody” in his T20 setup, the direction the team is heading is clear. Attempts to move past Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, known for their stable yet conservative opening, are indicative of a shift towards a more dynamic lineup. Yet, the opportunity remains for contributions from all players as Pakistan cricket embraces this evolved approach.
