ABBOTTABAD: Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha made a memorable return to domestic cricket on Sunday, scoring an unbeaten triple century for Kingsmen Academy in the President’s Trophy Grade-I.
Agha remained unbeaten on 300 off 336 balls as Kingsmen Academy declared their innings at 565-7 against MIT Solutions at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.
His innings included 42 boundaries and six sixes.
The impressive knock came after Agha admitted that his recent performances in international cricket had not met his expectations.
Agha makes technical adjustments
Speaking in a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Agha said minor technical changes helped him regain his confidence.
“My form in international cricket has not been up to the mark in the last few series,” he said.
“You make adjustments which can be very helpful in regaining form. I also made slight adjustments to my batting, which has helped me a lot.”
Agha added that reaching such a milestone was a special moment.
“I am very happy because such milestones are once in a lifetime,” he said.
Domestic cricket remains important
The Pakistan all-rounder also stressed the importance of domestic cricket for international players.
“It is very important for an international cricketer to play domestic cricket and I think every cricketer should play domestic cricket when he gets an opportunity,” Agha said.
“I like to play domestic cricket, and I enjoy coming back to it as I had spent 10 years here before graduating to the top level.”
Agha builds crucial partnership
Kingsmen Academy were in trouble at 72-3 before Agha and Muhammad Suleman turned the innings around.
Suleman scored 115 off 219 balls, hitting 13 boundaries and two sixes.
The pair added 274 runs for the fourth wicket, taking Kingsmen Academy to 346 and putting the team in a strong position.
Agha said he focused on building partnerships rather than reaching a personal milestone.
“We were in a tricky spot with three down for 72, and I spoke to [Mohammad] Suleman that we should look for a partnership,” he said.
“I was not really looking for a milestone or centuries. Rather, I was focused on what was at hand and was concentrating on every ball.”
Triple century dedicated to family
Agha eventually completed his triple century and remained unbeaten when Kingsmen Academy declared on 565-7.
The batter dedicated his innings to his family after a difficult period in international cricket.
“I dedicate this innings to my family. My form has not been good, and it was a challenging time, so I dedicate this innings to them,” he said.
The triple century marks a strong return to domestic cricket for Agha and could provide him with valuable confidence ahead of his next international assignment.
