Salman Ali Agha has responded to his controversial return from Pakistan’s England tour in emphatic fashion, smashing a triple century in the Presidents Trophy Grade-I. The Pakistan all-rounder scored 300 off 336 balls for Kingsmen Academy against Markhor IT Solutions, producing a remarkable batting display just days after being sent home from England.
Agha was among seven Pakistan players released from the touring squad following the team’s disappointing start to the Test series against England. Pakistan lost the opening two Tests in Leeds and Lord’s, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to make sweeping changes to the squad and coaching staff.
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Agha had led Pakistan in the first Test at Headingley in the absence of regular captain Babar Azam. However, he was dropped from the playing XI for the second Test and was subsequently among the seven players sent back to Pakistan before the third Test.
The batsman wasted little time in responding on the field. Playing for Kingsmen Academy, he walked in after his side had slipped to 72/3 and went on to score a magnificent triple century off 336 deliveries.
The innings came at a crucial stage for his team and underlined Agha’s ability to produce a substantial score after a difficult period with the national side. His performance also comes amid renewed scrutiny of Pakistan cricket following the team’s poor showing in England.
Along with Agha, Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were sent home after the first two Test defeats. The PCB also removed Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul from the touring party.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the board had been left with no option but to make changes following the poor results. He also stressed that the move was not intended to permanently remove players from contention.
“Every match of a series is important for us, and we are not left with any option, if a player is not performing, but to look for his replacement. The purpose behind these changes is not to axe players from contention, but simply to replace them. Consider (Salman) Agha, who is a very good player, but he could not click for some reasons. He was spoken to about it,” Naqvi told Geo Network.
The PCB has also launched an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct during the tour. Amir Mir, an adviser to Naqvi, confirmed the inquiry and said the matter was being handled under PCB regulations.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board has initiated an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct, which are currently being reviewed internally,” Mir said in a social media post.
He added that speculative and unverified reports should not be treated as credible and urged stakeholders and the public to rely on official PCB communications.
For Agha, however, the immediate response has come with the bat. His 300-run effort provides a timely reminder of his batting ability as Pakistan continues to deal with the fallout from its troubled England campaign.
