Just days after being sent home from Pakistan’s England tour following a disappointing start to the Test series, Salman Ali Agha has responded in emphatic fashion — with a monumental maiden first-class triple century.The Pakistan batter smashed an unbeaten 300 for Kingsmen Academy against Markhor IT Solutions in the President’s Trophy Grade-I, producing a statement innings after his omission became one of the major talking points in Pakistan cricket.Salman reached the landmark from 336 balls, hitting 42 fours and six sixes, as Kingsmen Academy declared their first innings at 565/7 in 131.1 overs at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.The 32-year-old also shared a mammoth 274-run partnership with Mohammad Suleman, who scored 115 off 219 balls, including 13 fours and two sixes.Salman’s extraordinary response came only days after he was sent home from England following Pakistan’s defeat in the second Test at Lord’s.
‘My form has not been good’
Salman had entered the England tour as part of Pakistan’s Test plans and even stood in as captain in the first Test at Headingley after Babar Azam suffered an arm injury during the tour match.But his own batting struggles continued. He scored only 25 runs across two innings as Pakistan suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat at Headingley. He subsequently lost his place in the XI for the Lord’s Test and was among seven players released from the squad ahead of the third Test as Pakistan made sweeping changes after falling 0-2 behind in the series.His domestic comeback could hardly have been more emphatic.After scoring an unbeaten 101 on the opening day of the President’s Trophy, Salman returned on Sunday to turn his century into a triple century.In a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Salman credited adjustments to his batting for the remarkable turnaround.“My form in international cricket has not been up to the mark in the last few series. I made slight adjustments to my batting, and I’m happy because such milestones are once in a lifetime,” Salman 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. I dedicate this innings to my family. My form has not been good. It was a challenging time, so I dedicate this innings to them,” he added.Salman’s innings came as Pakistan’s domestic competition provided him with the perfect platform to rebuild his confidence.
Salman’s triple ton puts Kingsmen in command
Kingsmen Academy, playing in their maiden first-class tournament, resumed Sunday at 257/3 and eventually declared at 565/7 immediately after Salman completed his triple century.Markhor IT Solutions finished the day on 179/3, still 386 runs behind.Mohammad Farooq provided an explosive response with an unbeaten 107 off just 95 balls, including 11 fours and five sixes. He shared a 108-run third-wicket partnership with Atiq-ur-Rehman.But the day belonged overwhelmingly to Salman, whose stunning triple century has given the Pakistan T20I captain a timely reminder of his batting pedigree — and delivered perhaps the strongest possible response to a difficult England tour.
