Salman Ali Agha Hints At Comeback For Sahibzada Farhan And Hasan Ali

April 20, 2025: As the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League heats up, Pakistan’s T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has thrown the spotlight on two familiar names who might be on the cusp of a national comeback: Sahibzada Farhan and Hasan Ali.

Speaking to Geo News, Salman — who also represents Islamabad United, the defending PSL champions — revealed that while his focus remains on helping his team clinch a record fourth title, he’s also closely watching the performances of potential candidates for Pakistan’s national T20 setup.

“My effort is to perform for Islamabad United while also monitoring players who could serve Pakistan in future. I’ll be watching the form and fitness of players who might play for Pakistan in future under my captaincy,” Salman said.

While he refrained from naming younger prospects just yet, the skipper was clear in his admiration for Hasan Ali’s bowling and Farhan’s form at the top — both of whom have been out of the national side since early 2024 and 2025, respectively.

“Only 2-3 matches have been played so far — it’s early in the tournament. But the way Hasan is bowling is commendable, and Farhan’s current form can’t go unnoticed,” he added.

Red-Hot Form in PSL 10

Sahibzada Farhan has been the engine of Islamabad United’s unbeaten start, scoring 184 runs in three innings at a stunning average of 61.33, currently topping the tournament’s run charts. His confident strokeplay and consistent tempo have made a massive impact.

On the bowling front, Hasan Ali, who now leads Karachi Kings’ attack, has rediscovered his vintage fire. With 8 wickets in just 3 matches at a sensational average of 12.37, Hasan ranks second in the wicket-takers’ list this season — a stat that’s hard to ignore as Pakistan looks to rebuild its T20 arsenal.

A Changing Game and Pakistan’s Adjustments

Salman also addressed the evolution of modern-day T20 cricket, acknowledging the pressure on bowlers and the demands placed on batters to maintain aggressive scoring rates. He underlined the importance of strategy over brute force, emphasizing game awareness and adaptability.

“Modern cricket requires maintaining the required tempo, not just hitting every ball. The key is to maintain the scoring rate — whether chasing or setting a target. Sometimes attempts fail, which is acceptable.”

Reflecting on Pakistan’s 4-1 T20I series loss in New Zealand, Salman remains confident that the current pool of players has the potential to match global standards — but admitted that Pakistan needs to evolve both tactically and mentally.

“Batters win matches, but bowlers win tournaments. On high-scoring pitches, bowlers who concede 10–15 fewer runs make the difference,” he concluded.

With key performers finding form in the PSL, the stage might just be setting for a few comeback stories in Pakistan’s T20 journey — and Salman Ali Agha seems keen on writing them.