T20 World Cup: Avoiding outside noise best way, says Salman as Pakistan eye Super Eight

Pakistan's captain Salman emphasises focusing on gameplay to overcome off-field distractions as they aim for T20 World Cup Super Eight.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha on Friday said the team will try to shut out the off-field noise surrounding its planned boycott of the India match and instead focus on winning remaining group games to qualify for the T20 World Cup Super Eight stage.

Pakistan, who won the title in 2009, are coming into the tournament in the wake of their decision to boycott the February 15 group game against arch-rivals India in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were replaced by Scotland after refusing to travel to India citing security concerns.

Asked how he would deal with the situation, Salman told reporters: "By just avoiding that. It's something we, as a group, we don't really talk about and we don't really see what's happening outside in the group. And I think that's the best we can do. We can avoid all this and just focus on our game.”

Since September last year, Indian cricket teams have adopted a no-handshake policy with Pakistan counterparts in international matches in solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam attack.

"We don't really feel hurt or anything like that. But for the game it is not good. These things obviously should not happen," Salman said.

"Growing up as a kid, I've always seen people doing what was required for the game to be improved. We, to some extent, are role models. If you do that, then kids are going to pick up this and tomorrow, they are going to do the same things.