T20 WC: ‘We couldn’t execute our plans well,’ says Salman Agha after Pakistan’s exit from the event

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Kandy, Feb 28 (IANS) Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha admitted that dew, execution issues, and long-standing middle-order concerns played a key role in his team’s exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, even after registering a dramatic five-run win over Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Stadium on Saturday.

Pakistan defended a huge total of 212/8 but failed to restrict Sri Lanka before 147, the margin required to overtake New Zealand on net run rate, resulting in their elimination from the tournament.

Reflecting on the match and Pakistan’s campaign, Agha said losing the toss made the task difficult on a pitch that became increasingly challenging for bowlers due to heavy dew. “I think when I lost the toss, it was always going to be challenging because of the dew. It was a very good pitch and restricting them to 148 was always going to be difficult,” Agha said in the post-match presentation.

“If I had won the toss, it could have been a different story. Dew was definitely a factor, and we couldn’t execute our plans the way we wanted to,” he added.

Agha also pointed to an off day for the spin attack and accepted that such setbacks are part of the T20 format. “Our spin has been brilliant, but today Usman had an off day. That can happen in T20 cricket,” he said.

Looking at the bigger picture, the Pakistan skipper did not shy away from addressing the team’s batting struggles across the tournament. “We couldn’t bat well throughout the tournament. It was only Sahibzada Farhan who batted exceptionally well. If someone had supported him, it could have been a different story,” Agha noted.

He added that the middle order remains a major area of concern. “The middle order has been a problem for a few years now. We need to sit down and seriously look at that department,” he said.

Agha also focused on Pakistan’s failure to finish strongly despite dominating most of the innings. “We missed quite a few runs in the last two overs. If we had scored 10–15 more runs, it could have changed the outcome,” he concluded.

–IANS

sds/bsk/

Related Posts

Former wicketkeeper-batter Greatbatch elected as president of NZC

Wellington, Nov 19 (IANS) Former wicketkeeper-batter Mark Greatbatch has been elected as the new president of New Zealand Cricket (NZC), said the governing body on Wednesday. Greatbatch represented New Zealand in 41 Tests and 84 ODIs from 1988 to 1996.

He later served as head coach and selector of the men’s team. He takes over from Lesley Murdoch, who has completed her three-year term. “I want to convey my enormous gratitude to Lesley for her professionalism as the NZC President over the past three years, and for her great support for the game as well as the organisation.”

“I also want to welcome and congratulate Mark as our new President and wish him well in the role. We are fortunate in New Zealand cricket to have such strong figures wanting to contribute and give back to the game,” said NZC chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon.

Former Test players Rebecca Rolls, Martin Snedden, and Ewen Chatfield were also elected as NZC’s new life members. NZC further said it has reported 2.2 million dollars surplus for the financial year, overturning a forecasted deficit of 6.8 million dollars. As of now, its reserves are at a record 37 million dollars, thanks to robust broadcasting deals, high-value playing programmes and a solid commercial base.

“NZC’s financial position is a strong one. A small net surplus represents a significant outperformance against budget, reflecting prudent management and disciplined oversight – through what was a challenging operating environment.”

“The position underlines the organisation’s stability and resilience and should provide confidence in its ability to continue investing in the game’s long-term growth and sustainability.”

“Cricket here has never been a one-size-fits-all affair and NZC places great value in the ability of our Major and District Associations, and clubs to understand what works best in their regions and catchments. We’re committed to working closely with them to ensure they’re well equipped to service the grassroots environment upon which our entire game is based,” said Diana.

–IANS

nr/

Tendulkar wishes KL Rahul, Athiya Shetty endless joy, says ‘A beautiful new journey begins’

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar took to social media to congratulate wicket-keeper batter KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty after the couple announced the arrival of their baby girl on Monday. Rahul and his wife Athiya, who tied the knot in January 2023 and confirmed the pregnancy in November 2024, have been blessed with a baby girl, the wicketkeeper announced through a social media post.

“A beautiful new journey begins! Wishing you both endless joy with your baby girl. Congratulations, @klrahul and @theathiyashetty,” read the post by Sachin on X.

Rahul had missed Delhi Capitals’ opening game due to the birth of his child. He had joined the DC set-up in the run-up to their opening game in Visakhapatnam but received special permission to skip the match against his former franchise LSG at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

In his absence, Delhi managed to conjure their highest successful chase in Indian Premier League (IPL) history with an incredible one-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants in their chase of 210.

Earlier in the day, the Delhi-based franchise extended a wholesome and playful congratulations to their star player Rahul on the birth of his child.

In a video shared on DC social media with the caption “Our family extends, our family celebrates”, Rahul’s teammates congratulated him by doing a ‘Mother’s Lap Baby Swing’ action. In the video, with the Heyy Babyy song ‘Meri duniya tu hi re’, skipper Axar Patel can be heard singing the song “Aa le chak mai aa gaya”.

Commenting on the post, Rahul shared, “Lads, this means so much to us, thanks a million.”

Rahul was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 14 crore in the mega auction after Lucknow Super Giants decided not to retain him following a public falling out with franchise owner Sanjeev Goenka at the end of the 2024 season. The wicketkeeper will be hoping to strive in the shortest format after having successfully regained his spot in the ODI and Test setup of the national team.

Rahul was instrumental in India’s 2025 Champions Trophy-winning campaign. The wicketkeeper-batter was reliable behind the stumps and a clutch performer in his role as finisher with the bat.

In four innings, he finished unbeaten on three occasions. He was particularly crucial during India’s chases in the all-important knockout games, scoring an unbeaten 42 not out and 34 not out against Australia and New Zealand in the semis and finals, respectively.

–IANS

aaa/bsk/

Unadkat to feature for Sussex in last eight rounds of County matches

New Delhi, Oct 30 (IANS) India’s left-arm fast-bowler Jaydev Unadkat will be turning out for Sussex in the last eight rounds of the 2026 County Championship season, said the club on Thursday.

The deal will mark the third successive stint Unadkat will be turning out for Sussex in red-ball cricket. Unadkat has played four Tests, eight ODIs and ten Tests for India and has picked 26 international wickets so far. He last played for India on the white-ball tour of West Indies in 2023.

“Sussex Cricket is thrilled to announce that Indian Test bowler Jaydev Unadkat will return to the club for the final eight rounds of the 2026 County Championship season. This marks the third consecutive year Unadkat will bolster Sussex’s bowling attack during the crucial phase of the competition,” said the club in its statement on Thursday.

Unadkat has produced impactful performances for Sussex in red-ball games. In 2023, he played three matches and picked 11 wickets at an average of 24.2, including a standout spell of 6-94 against Leicestershire.

His return in 2024 saw him claim 22 wickets at an average of 14.4 across five matches, as he significantly contributed to Sussex’s Division Two title victory. In 2025, Unadkat continued his fine form by taking 16 wickets at an average of 17.25.

Notably, he delivered a match-winning performance against Worcestershire by claiming seven wickets in the match held in Worcester. Unadkat is currently leading Saurashtra in the 2025/26 Ranji Trophy season and has picked seven wickets so far in two home games held in Rajkot.

He will be next seen in action when Saurashtra, the two-time Ranji Trophy champions, take on Maharashtra in an away Elite Group B game at Golf Club Ground in Nashik from November 1-4.

–IANS

nr/