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'It doesn't matter when you lose the series': Salman Agha's Ben Duckett-like statement after getting bludgeoned by New Zealand in five-T20I series

Salman Agha chose to look at the positives after the 4-1 series loss against New Zealand. He expect ODI series to be completely different as senior players return with experience in Kiwi conditions.

Sports Tak

• Wed • 26 Mar 2025

England opener Ben Duckett; Pakistan T20I captain Salman Agha in the post-match presentation.

Highlights:

Salman Agha scored a half-century in losing cause in fifth T20I.

Salman said that his focus is on T20 Asia Cup and T20 World Cup next year.

Salman lauded three youngsters despite T20I series defeat.

Barring the third T20I involving a record-breaking run chase, the experienced Pakistan lineup looked timid against a second-string New Zealand side. On March 26, Pakistan's story of collapses and primitive approach in powerplay overs with both bat and bowl continued. As New Zealand beat Pakistan by eight wickets with 10 overs to spare, captain Salman Agha made statement similar to that of England's Ben Duckett. The English opener had said that losing the bilateral series to India does not matter as long as they win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final. Similarly, Salman said that the 4-1 loss in the T20I series doesn't matter as their focus is on the T20 Asia Cup and T20 World Cup next year.

"When we were coming in here, the focus was on Asia Cup and the World Cup. I did alright. It doesn't matter when you lose the series," Salman said in the post-match presentation.

Salman lauds three youngsters

Salman credited New Zealand for outclassing him and lauded youngsters Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris and Sufiyan Muqeem for their performances. Haris got Pakistan off to a blazing start with a cameo in the third T20I. Nawaz scored a century in the third T20I but registered three ducks. Left-arm chinaman bowler Muqeem was impressive in the fifth T20I taking two wickets for just six runs.

"They were outstanding. They outplayed us in the whole series. There were plenty of positives though. The way Hasan batted and Haris batted in Auckland. The way Sufiyan bowled today," he added.

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Salman on three-ODI series

Salman who fought a lone battle with a half-century in the fifth T20I. Ahead of the ODI series which commences on March 29, Salman said that the ODI team is different and has experience of playing in New Zealand conditions.

"Completely different team in the ODIs. More experience. They have played in New Zealand before. It will be a different ball game," he concluded.

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Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam and Naseem Shah will be back for the ODI series. This will be the Pakistan's first ODI series after early exit from ICC Champions Trophy 2025.