‘Once in a lifetime’: Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha responds to England’s setback with first triple century

Just days after being sent home from Pakistan’s tour of England following a disappointing start to the Test series, Salman Ali Agha responded in emphatic fashion – a monumental maiden first-class triple century.The Pakistan batsman smashed an unbeaten 300 for Kingsmen Academy against Markhor IT Solutions in the President’s Trophy Grade-I, making his omission one of the highlights of cricket in Pakistan.Salman reached the landmark off 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 just days after he was sent home from England following Pakistan’s defeat in the second Test at Lord’s.

‘My form was not good’

Salman entered the England tour as part of Pakistan’s Test plans and even lined up as captain in the first Test at Headingley after Babar Azam suffered an arm injury during a tour match.But his own batting struggles continued. He scored just 25 runs in 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 dropped from the squad ahead of the third Test as Pakistan made sweeping changes after trailing 0–2 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 bounced back to make his century a triple century on Sunday.In a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Salman credited adjustments to his bat for the remarkable turnaround.“My form in international cricket has not been at its best in the last few series. I have made minor adjustments with the bat and I am happy because such milestones are once in a lifetime,” said Salman.“I love playing domestic cricket and I love to come back to it because I spent 10 years here before graduating to the top level. I dedicate this innings to my family. My form has not been good. It has been a challenging period so I dedicate this innings to them,” he added.Salman’s innings came as Pakistan’s domestic competition gave him the perfect platform to restore his confidence.

Salman’s triple ton puts the Kingsmen in charge

Kingsmen Academy, playing in their first first-class tournament, resumed on Sunday at 257/3 and were eventually declared out 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 reply with an unbeaten 107 off just 95 balls, including 11 fours and five sixes. He shared a partnership of 108 runs for the third wicket with Atiq-ur-Rehman.But the day largely belonged to Salman, whose stunning triple century provided the Pakistan T20I captain with a timely reminder of his batting pedigree – and produced perhaps the strongest possible response to a difficult tour of England.