Lahore: Pakistan's cricket team has confirmed a strategic shift in its batting lineup for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup, with captain Salman Ali Agha set to occupy the crucial No.3 position. This announcement follows Pakistan's recent victory in the first T20I against Australia, where Ali Agha demonstrated his prowess at the new spot.

According to International Cricket Council, Ali Agha, who has previously batted lower in the order, chose to move up to No.3 to provide a more aggressive option against spin bowlers. His decision comes as Pakistan prepares to face significant spin challenges during the World Cup. In the recent match against Australia in Lahore, Ali Agha scored a brisk 39, contributing to Pakistan's 22-run win.

The change in Ali Agha's batting position implies a shift for former captain Babar Azam, who batted at No.4 in the match, scoring 24 runs. Meanwhile, opener Saim Ayub, who was named Player of the Match, led the scoring with 40 runs. Pakistan concluded their innings at 168/8, leveraging their spin attack to thwart Australia's chase effectively.

Reflecting on the match, Ali Agha expressed satisfaction with the bowling performance despite challenges in the latter half of their batting innings. He noted, "To be honest, I felt 170 was enough," underscoring the confidence in Pakistan's spin capabilities.

Australia's stand-in captain, Travis Head, acknowledged the team's areas for improvement, noting, "There are definitely positives, but also things to work on." With two more matches before the World Cup in Sri Lanka, Head emphasized the team's focus on refining their performance.