During a recent pre-series press conference, Pakistan's T20I captain Salman Ali Agha was faced with a familiar line of questioning regarding form and role of Babar Azam.
In a moment that has since gone viral, the skipper chose to address the media’s fixation on the star batter with a direct plea.
As reporters continued to probe for updates and opinions on Babar Azam, Agha decided to step in and shield his teammate.
He expressed a desire for the media to stop questioning about Babar and let him focus on his batting, hoping for a day when the team’s performance as a whole takes center stage rather than the individual scrutiny of one player.
"It is my wish that I come to the press conference one day and there will be no questions related to Babar Azam. Let him do his batting, please," Salman Ali Agha replied to the reporter.
It is my wish that i come to the press conference one day and there will be no questions related to Babar Azam, let him do batting please - Salman Ali Agha
— Khel Shel (@khelshel) January 28, 2026
VC: PCB#PAKvAUS | #Cricket | #Pakistan | #SalmanAliAgha | #BabarAzam | #Lahore pic.twitter.com/UgdxdeRKc9
The statement highlights the internal support Babar Azam still enjoys within the Pakistan dressing room. By asking the media to let the former captain focus on his batting, Agha is attempting to reduce the noise that often surrounds the team's most high-profile player before a major series.
Salman Ali Agha’s defense of Babar comes at a crucial time for Pakistan cricket.
With the national side looking to find a winning rhythm and establish a stable core, the captain believes that allowing his best players to perform without external pressure is key to long-term success. His comments suggest that the constant questioning has become a heavy distraction that the team is eager to move past, as it often overshadows the collective goals of the squad.
