Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has come out in support of Babar Azam ahead of the three-match T20I series against Australia at home. The middle-order batter urged critics to ease the constant scrutiny on Babar, adding that repeated questions add unnecessary pressure on the former Pakistan skipper.
Pakistan have begun preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026 with a training camp at home. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-player squad on Sunday, and the selection raised eyebrows. An out-of-form Babar was included in the squad for the three-match T20I series and the T20 World Cup.
I Don’t Have To Answer Questions About Babar Azam – Salman Ali Agha
Ahead of the first T20I against Australia, Salman Ali Agha defended Babar Azam and asked for the focus to shift away from constant scrutiny. Agha added that while Babar may not have met expectations in the Big Bash, he is performing well for Pakistan and fulfilling his role.
“I wish that when I come to a press conference, I don’t have to answer questions about Babar. I mean, there are 14 people in the team; there are other batters as well. Think about them too, and talk about them as well. Let him bat now.”
“He is batting well. You can say that in the Big Bash he didn’t perform as well as his team expected, but for us, he is performing very well. I think he is playing his role properly. What happened in the Big Bash doesn’t matter to me. I don’t care about that.”
It is my wish that i come to the press conference one day and there will be no questions related to Babar Azam, let him do batting please – Salman Ali Agha
VC: PCB#PAKvAUS | #Cricket | #Pakistan | #SalmanAliAgha | #BabarAzam | #Lahore pic.twitter.com/UgdxdeRKc9
— Khel Shel (@khelshel) January 28, 2026
Babar Azam’s Experience Will Matter A Lot To Us – Salman Ali Agha
The Pakistan captain stated that Babar Azam is important for the team, especially in high-pressure situations. He said that Babar’s experience is a major asset and added that he is capable of playing a decisive role in winning the World Cup.
“Babar Azam’s experience will matter a lot to us, especially in pressure games. Babar has the ability that if Pakistan wins the WC, he will have a major role in it, and he also knows this.”
Babar Azam Has Been A World-Class Player for Pakistan – Mitchell Marsh
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh called Babar a world-class batter who has delivered consistently for Pakistan over the years. Marsh said that his team holds Babar in high regard and added that he is among the best players in the world in these conditions.
“Babar has been a world-class player for Pakistan for a long time. We’ve got great respect for him. In these conditions, he’s one of the best players in the world,” Marsh said.
Australia will make a leadership change for the first T20I against Pakistan on Thursday, January 29. Travis Head is set to captain the side at the Gaddafi Stadium. Regular skipper Mitchell Marsh will take a rest for the series opener.
Marsh and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis are unlikely to play because they reached Pakistan only on Wednesday. Their late arrival came just days after the Perth Scorchers won a record sixth Big Bash League title on Sunday.
Also read: Ex-India cricketers pick T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finalists; Irfan Pathan backs Pakistan
