(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Salman Agha Confident Ahead of Pakistan-India Asia Cup Clash
Pakistan captain Salman Agha has expressed confidence as his side prepares to face India in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup on Sunday. The much-anticipated encounter comes just days after the group-stage match between the two rivals ended on a tense note when the Indian team reportedly refused to shake hands.
Pakistan Advance Despite Batting Concerns
Pakistan booked their place in the Super Fours with a 41-run victory over the UAE on Wednesday. Fakhar Zaman top-scored with 50, but the rest of the batting order struggled against a modest bowling attack.
Opener Saim Ayub registered his third consecutive duck, raising concerns about the team’s top-order consistency.
“We got the job done, but we still need to improve our batting in the middle order,” Salman admitted after the game. “That’s been a concern and something we need to work on.”
India-Pakistan Tensions Resurface
The group-stage clash between the two sides saw India secure a seven-wicket win. However, the absence of post-match handshakes and Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to dedicate the victory to the armed forces sparked debate about politics overshadowing cricket.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a protest, claiming match referee Andy Pycroft instructed Salman Agha not to shake hands with his Indian counterpart before the toss. While the PCB initially considered drastic action, the issue was resolved after Pycroft issued an apology to Pakistan’s team management.
Looking Ahead
With both teams now in the Super Four stage, another high-stakes clash awaits. If they progress further, India and Pakistan could meet for a third time in the tournament, with the final scheduled for September 28.
Salman, however, remains focused:
“We are ready for any challenge. If we continue to play the way we have in recent months, we’ll be good against any side.”
