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Ahead of the much-anticipated India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 final, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha attended press conference۔
Q: Salman, do you think the pressure will be greater on India since they’ve already beaten Pakistan twice?
A (Salman Ali Agha): “Look, it’s a final. Pressure is always there for both teams. India may have won two games, but if they lose this one, there will be a lot of backlash too. We’ll just focus on giving our best and trying to win the final. As for what their media says, that has nothing to do with us. They can say whatever they like.”
Q: Pakistan lost both games to India but defeated Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Why do you think the team struggles specifically against India? Does it bring extra pressure?
A: “Yes, there is always extra pressure in Pakistan-India games. If we say otherwise, it would be wrong. The truth is, we’ve made more mistakes against them. Whichever team makes fewer mistakes usually wins. Our focus will be to minimize errors in the final.”
Q: Your personal performances haven’t been as impactful as expected. What do you say about that? And as captain, how important is strike rate in your view?
A: “Of course, I’d like to perform better for my team. About strike rate, every player has a role. Sometimes seniors are dropped because of strike rate concerns, but for me it’s about what the situation demands. I try to play according to the team’s needs.”
Q: Early in the Asia Cup, conditions were slow, but yesterday we saw a high-scoring game. Will Pakistan change its bowling combination accordingly?
A: “We always try to respond to conditions. In the earlier games, spin was effective, so we opened with spinners. Later, there wasn’t much spin, so we relied more on pace. Tomorrow we’ll decide based on what the pitch demands.”
Q: As captain, do you feel responsible for controlling players’ emotions and behavior on the field?
A: “Every individual has their own style. If a fast bowler shows aggression, that’s fine — it’s part of his game. I give players freedom as long as they don’t disrespect opponents or the country. Everyone knows how to handle their emotions.”
Q: After the September 14 match, there were handshake controversies and reports of disrespect. How did things change within the team since then?
A: “Honestly, I’ve never seen two teams finish a game without a handshake in all my years of cricket. Even my father, who’s been following the game for decades, never mentioned such a thing. It shouldn’t have happened. But for us, the focus remains on playing good cricket. Aggression is welcome on the field, from either side, but respect must remain.”
Q: What message have you given your players to stay focused amid all the outside noise and media narratives?
A: “We don’t focus on things beyond our control. Media talk or off-field issues don’t matter to us. Our only goal is to play good cricket and win the Asia Cup.”
Q: How much importance do you give to the toss in this final?
A: “I don’t think toss has had major importance in this tournament. It’s not in our control. What matters is how we execute our plans over 40 overs.”
Q: Many believe Pakistan’sr strength is bowling, especially with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf in form. Do you think bowling gives Pakistan an edge in the final?
A: “InshaAllah, our aim is to play our best cricket. If we execute our plans properly for 40 overs, we can beat any team. That’s what we’ll try to do.”
Q: Indian media reported that their captain refused a joint photoshoot with Pakistan. Any thoughts?
A:“That’s their decision. We are focused on our goals. If they come, fine. If not, that’s up to them. It won’t affect us.”
Q: Saim Ayub has been struggling with the bat but is still being backed. As captain, what’s your view?
A: “Saim is a player who can serve Pakistan for the next ten years. Yes, he hasn’t scored big runs with the bat, but look at his bowling and fielding — he’s contributing in every match. Such players must be backed. I fully believe he will play a good innings in the final, InshaAllah.”
Q: Salman, do you think the pressure will be greater on India since they’ve already beaten Pakistan twice?
A (Salman Ali Agha): “Look, it’s a final. Pressure is always there for both teams. India may have won two games, but if they lose this one, there will be a lot of backlash too. We’ll just focus on giving our best and trying to win the final. As for what their media says, that has nothing to do with us. They can say whatever they like.”
Q: Pakistan lost both games to India but defeated Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Why do you think the team struggles specifically against India? Does it bring extra pressure?
A: “Yes, there is always extra pressure in Pakistan-India games. If we say otherwise, it would be wrong. The truth is, we’ve made more mistakes against them. Whichever team makes fewer mistakes usually wins. Our focus will be to minimize errors in the final.”
Q: Your personal performances haven’t been as impactful as expected. What do you say about that? And as captain, how important is strike rate in your view?
A: “Of course, I’d like to perform better for my team. About strike rate, every player has a role. Sometimes seniors are dropped because of strike rate concerns, but for me it’s about what the situation demands. I try to play according to the team’s needs.”
Q: Early in the Asia Cup, conditions were slow, but yesterday we saw a high-scoring game. Will Pakistan change its bowling combination accordingly?
A: “We always try to respond to conditions. In the earlier games, spin was effective, so we opened with spinners. Later, there wasn’t much spin, so we relied more on pace. Tomorrow we’ll decide based on what the pitch demands.”
Q: As captain, do you feel responsible for controlling players’ emotions and behavior on the field?
A: “Every individual has their own style. If a fast bowler shows aggression, that’s fine — it’s part of his game. I give players freedom as long as they don’t disrespect opponents or the country. Everyone knows how to handle their emotions.”
Q: After the September 14 match, there were handshake controversies and reports of disrespect. How did things change within the team since then?
A: “Honestly, I’ve never seen two teams finish a game without a handshake in all my years of cricket. Even my father, who’s been following the game for decades, never mentioned such a thing. It shouldn’t have happened. But for us, the focus remains on playing good cricket. Aggression is welcome on the field, from either side, but respect must remain.”
Q: What message have you given your players to stay focused amid all the outside noise and media narratives?
A: “We don’t focus on things beyond our control. Media talk or off-field issues don’t matter to us. Our only goal is to play good cricket and win the Asia Cup.”
Q: How much importance do you give to the toss in this final?
A: “I don’t think toss has had major importance in this tournament. It’s not in our control. What matters is how we execute our plans over 40 overs.”
Q: Many believe Pakistan’sr strength is bowling, especially with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf in form. Do you think bowling gives Pakistan an edge in the final?
A: “InshaAllah, our aim is to play our best cricket. If we execute our plans properly for 40 overs, we can beat any team. That’s what we’ll try to do.”
Q: Indian media reported that their captain refused a joint photoshoot with Pakistan. Any thoughts?
A:“That’s their decision. We are focused on our goals. If they come, fine. If not, that’s up to them. It won’t affect us.”
Q: Saim Ayub has been struggling with the bat but is still being backed. As captain, what’s your view?
A: “Saim is a player who can serve Pakistan for the next ten years. Yes, he hasn’t scored big runs with the bat, but look at his bowling and fielding — he’s contributing in every match. Such players must be backed. I fully believe he will play a good innings in the final, InshaAllah.”
