Salman predicts HBL PSLX finalists

Pakistan T20I captain and Islamabad United's all-rounder, Salman Ali Agha, has shared his thoughts on who he believes will make it to the final of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

Although every team in the competition has shown great promise, Salman's prediction highlights two teams that he strongly backs to feature in the final. In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Salman expressed his wish to see the final played between Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars.

He said, "All the teams are good, but I'm from Lahore and I've also represented that team, so I would want the final to be against Qalandars."

Agha also shared that he sustained an injury during the second match against Peshawar Zalmi, which kept him out of the playing XI for a while.

Speaking about his recovery, he said, "I got injured in the second match against Peshawar Zalmi, which is why I remained out," he added.

"Now, I am almost fully fit and hope to be part of the next match," Agha concluded.

Favourite batter

Pakistan's T20I captain shared the name of the cricketer he admires the most, reflecting on the inspiration he drew growing up and now as a professional.

When Salman was asked about his favourite cricketer, he responded with heartfelt praise for the legendary batter.

"I really like Mohammad Yousuf's batting," said Salman.

"I still watch his batting videos. I believe he is one of the best batters Pakistan has ever had. I've learned a lot from watching him bat," he added.

"Fortunately, he is also our batting coach now. He was the one who gave me my Test and ODI debut caps, which felt like a dream come true. He is my favourite batter, and I've been watching his batting since childhood," he concluded.

Bond with Babar

Salman Ali Agha also opened up about his long-standing friendship with Babar Azam, tracing their bond back to their early school days. Salman recalled how the two first met during inter-school cricket matches and how their journey in cricket continued together over the years.

"Babar Azam and I used to play cricket together at the school level. He played for Muslim Model School and I used to represent Central Model School. Our teams used to play matches against each other, and that's where our friendship began," he said.

"Later on, we played together in Under-16 and Under-19. I've known Babar for a long time," he added.

The 31-year-old further spoke about his camaraderie with other national teammates, highlighting the close-knit bond many players share off the field.

"I'm also friends with Shadab Khan, Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, and Saim Ayub. We often go out to eat together," Salman concluded.

Moreover, Agha highlighted Shadab's exceptional leadership skills and praised his consistency in guiding Islamabad United to success over the past few years.

Salman said, "In the last five to six years, Shadab Khan has captained Islamabad United in a magnificent way. If you look at his record, it is quite impressive."

Agha emphasized Shadab's ability to make crucial decisions under pressure, which he believes have been instrumental in the team's success.

"He makes effective decisions during pressure situations, which benefit the team," he added.

Salman further stated, "Right now, in PSL, he is one of Pakistan's best captains."

Currently, Islamabad United is at the top of the PSL 2025 points table, maintaining a perfect record from their winning streak last season. The team, which won the PSL 2024 title under Shadab's captaincy, has won all five of their opening matches, showcasing his leadership and the team's overall strength.

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