Summary Captain and coach to make final call on playing XI
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan batter Salman Ali Agha has expressed confidence that the national team will deliver its best performance in the final of the tri-nation cricket series, saying the players are fully aware of their responsibilities ahead of the decisive clash against Sri Lanka.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Saturday's final, Salman said the team was hopeful of lifting the trophy, with preparations focused on improving areas that had not gone according to plan during the tournament.
He said the pitches used throughout the series offered different playing conditions, requiring the players to adapt their approach. The squad had worked hard during practice sessions and focused on addressing individual weaknesses in collaboration with the coaching staff.
"Hopefully, tomorrow's final will belong to Pakistan. All the players understand their responsibilities," Salman said.
Acknowledging Sri Lanka's performances in the competition, Salman said the opposition had earned its place in the final through good cricket. He added that Pakistan were keen to adopt a modern approach to the game and agreed with the coach's assessment that the team had yet to produce its best cricket in the series.
However, he backed the players to raise their performance levels in the final.
"The coach is right that we have not played our best cricket so far, but Pakistan will bring its A game to the final," he said.
Salman Ali Agha's pre-final press conference at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI Tri-Series #PAKvSL | #CricketKaJashan https://t.co/g6lWPWU1IC
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) October 30, 2026
Salman also described representing Pakistan as a matter of great pride, adding that his focus remained entirely on the match whenever he stepped onto the field.
Admitting that his personal performance had not been up to expectations, the batter said he would look to make a significant contribution in the final.
He also spoke about the pressure associated with captaincy, saying it was an unavoidable part of the responsibility but that he now felt less pressure than before.
Salman expressed hope that the stadium would be packed with spectators for the final, describing the tri-nation series as a successful competition.
The Pakistan batter also defended the performances of senior players Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, pointing out that both had played crucial roles in securing victories for the country over the years.
He said the two experienced batters understood what was required to improve their performances, adding that every cricketer went through periods when runs were difficult to come by despite putting in maximum effort.
"International cricket is not easy. There are times when a player tries everything but still cannot score runs," Salman said.
He stressed the importance of giving players sufficient opportunities to demonstrate their abilities at international level rather than judging them solely on short-term performances.
Salman also highlighted Shadab Khan's contribution against England, recalling that the all-rounder had helped Pakistan secure a major victory in a match that would remain memorable for both the players and supporters.
On Pakistan's team combination for the final, Salman said the playing XI would be decided by the captain and head coach. He maintained that cricket could not be judged purely through statistics, as performances on the actual match day ultimately determined the outcome.
Pakistan have quality players across the squad, he said, adding that a collective effort from everyone playing to their full potential could put the team in a strong position to win the final.
Salman also provided an update on workload management, saying the Pakistan Cricket Board was monitoring players' workloads, with different players being used across the three international formats.
Discussing the changing demands of one-day international cricket, he observed that scores of 350 runs were increasingly becoming a requirement in the format, highlighting the growing importance of high-scoring performances in modern-day cricket.
