Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha has revealed the heartwarming reason behind his distinctive celebration after scoring a century against Sri Lanka, explaining that he was imitating his young son rather than responding to recent criticism or setbacks in his career.
Agha produced an outstanding performance in the opening one-day international of the tri-nation series in Rawalpindi on Sunday, scoring 107 off 90 deliveries to help Pakistan secure a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka. His innings featured 10 fours and a six, providing the foundation for Pakistan’s total of 305 runs.
After reaching his century, Agha raised his bat and celebrated with a distinctive gesture while looking towards the dressing room. The moment attracted considerable attention, with some observers speculating that the celebration was intended as a response to those who had questioned his performances or his place in the national side.
However, the Pakistan batter dismissed that interpretation after the match, making it clear that his actions were not intended as a message to his critics.
“I do not have time to send messages to anyone or prove anybody wrong. I love cricket, I love batting, and I enjoy playing for Pakistan,” Agha said.
Explaining the inspiration behind the celebration, he revealed that his young son often makes a similar gesture while watching cricket on television. Agha decided to reproduce that familiar movement after reaching his century, turning a significant sporting achievement into a personal family moment.
The celebration came at an important stage in Agha’s career, following a difficult period in which he lost the captaincy of Pakistan’s T20 side and was subsequently left out of the Test squad during the team’s tour of England. Those developments had placed his international future under scrutiny and made his subsequent performances particularly significant.
Rather than allowing the setbacks to derail his progress, Agha used domestic cricket as an opportunity to rebuild his confidence and demonstrate his ability. He attracted attention with an unbeaten 300-run innings in the President’s Trophy, reinforcing his credentials as a batter capable of producing substantial scores.
His century against Sri Lanka marked his fourth hundred in one-day internationals. Reaching the milestone in just 82 deliveries, he also recorded the fastest ODI century of his career.
The innings demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure and make a decisive contribution to Pakistan’s batting effort. His performance helped the hosts establish a competitive total before their bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to secure victory by 37 runs.
Beyond his individual achievement, Agha also highlighted the importance of domestic cricket in identifying and developing international talent. Drawing on his own experience, he argued that players who perform consistently in domestic competitions deserve proper recognition and consideration for national selection.
He stressed that scoring heavily in domestic tournaments is not an easy task and that such performances should be assessed seriously when selectors evaluate players.
“I think it is time to give domestic cricket the respect it deserves,” he said.
Agha’s remarks underline the role domestic competitions can play in helping players regain form and strengthen their claims for international opportunities. His own return to prominence offers an example of how strong performances outside the national team can help a cricketer re-establish his credentials.
For Agha, the victory over Sri Lanka was therefore significant on several fronts. It delivered a valuable start to Pakistan’s tri-nation campaign, added another century to his ODI record and offered reassurance about his ability to contribute at the highest level.
Yet the moment that captured the most personal side of his achievement was the celebration itself. Amid the pressures of international cricket, selection decisions and public scrutiny, Agha chose to mark his success by copying a gesture associated with his young son.
The episode offered a reminder that a cricketer’s most memorable moments are not always defined by statistics or victories. Sometimes, a simple expression of family affection can provide the most meaningful explanation for what happens on the field.
