Salman Agha and Mohsin Naqvi [Source: AFP]Salman Agha hadn't had the best of his innings in the Pakistan vs England 2026 tour. After leading the side in Babar Azam’s absence in the first Test, Agha was sidelined for the second match and was removed from the squad too, given the complete overhaul the management went through. The 7 players and coaching staff changes had Agha being given the red eye in terms of selection, while doubting his abilities as a middle-order batter. Now, Salman Agha has produced a flamboyant knock with a triple century in the President Trophy 2026, representing Kingsmen Academy, issuing checkmate to PCB. Salman Agha scores triple ton in Pakistan’s domestic tournamentSalman Agha reached his century from 81 deliveries, playing a brilliant knock to build the innings of his team, which was struggling at 72/3. Agha arrived to provide stability on the crease, something which he has not been able to do in recent times, especially for his national team.Salman scored his century from 127 deliveries and his double ton in 276 deliveries, helping the team cross 300 runs after losing 4 wickets. At Tea, Agha scored 300 from 336 deliveries, bagging 42 boundaries. He also hammered 6 sixes in the process while staying unbeaten.Also Read- PCB Fixes Imam-ul-Haq, Rizwan, Salman Agha's Cricket Comeback After Pakistan SnubThis indeed remains a prolific landmark for the cricketer whose highest score in red-ball cricket is 169. Agha boasts 17 centuries and 35 fifties in First-Class cricket, further underlining his contribution as a long-format player.For Pakistan, Agha has 1708 runs at an average of 36.34, with his numbers dropping significantly in recent times.How has Salman Agha fared in Tests in recent times?Agha’s Test numbers have taken a sharp downward turn over the last four years. In 2023, he scored 380 runs in nine innings at an impressive average of 63.33, including a career-best 132*. That output dipped in 2024, when he managed 454 runs at 41.27 across 13 innings, with his highest score dropping to 104*. The decline became more pronounced in 2025, as he scored only 277 runs in 10 innings at 27.70, with 93 as his best score.The slide has continued into 2026, with Salman Agha scoring just 221 runs from nine innings at 24.56. His highest score this year is only 71, while his strike rate has also fallen from 68.97 in 2023 to 56.23 in 2026. From averaging above 60 in 2023, Agha has now settled below 25, underlining a worrying decline in both consistency and run production.Salman Agha’s President Trophy knock, a checkmate to PCB?If seen otherwise, the immediate performance after his axing from the national team during the England tour seems more like a revenge knock for the cricketer who has been a veteran for the side for a long tenure. Although technically, the conditions in England and in Pakistan are completely different, the PCB might consider Agha’s batting development as a significant one that can make his case once again for the national side.For the unaware, on the England tour, Agha scored 4 and 21 in the 1st Test, further dragging down his average in Test cricket. However, the immediate comeback might impact the board, but will not necessarily call for a change.As the lookout is currently, the board is more keen on polishing and nurturing younger talents than saving a spot for veterans who are still figuring it out on foreign conditions. Agha’s away stats are not something to be ashamed of, but they have also drastically sloped down over time, with him currently averaging 32.69 in away conditions.Also Read- After Sachin Tendulkar, Joe Root Breaks Virat Kohli's Massive WTC Record
