Pakistan Captain Salman Agha Vows to Beat India in Asia Cup Final

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha exuded confidence after his team secured a thrilling 11-run victory over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four stage on Thursday, setting up a high-stakes final against arch-rivals India. This will mark the third clash between the two teams in the tournament, following India’s victories in the group stage (by seven wickets) and Super Four (by six wickets). Pakistan’s resilient performance, defending a modest 135, has propelled them into their first Asia Cup final, with Agha asserting his team’s ability to challenge the world’s top-ranked side.

Agha praised his squad’s tenacity, calling them a “special team” capable of defeating any opponent, including India, in Sunday’s title-decider. “If you win these kinds of games, then we must be a special team. We know what we need to do, and we are good enough to beat anyone,” he said at the post-match presentation. While acknowledging batting improvements are needed, Agha highlighted the team’s bowling and fielding prowess, crediting extra training sessions under coach Mike Hesson. “Mike Hesson said if you can’t field, you won’t be in the team,” Agha noted, emphasising the team’s commitment to sharp fielding.

Standout performer Shaheen Shah Afridi earned Player-of-the-Match honours for his all-round contribution, smashing a quickfire 19 off 13 balls and claiming 3/17. Agha lauded Afridi’s impact, stating, “Shaheen is a special player. He does what the team needs.” Afridi himself stressed the importance of early breakthroughs in defending a low total, saying, “Three overs in the powerplay—that is the difference.” Reflecting on his aggressive batting, he added, “Those sixes turned momentum to our end.” Looking ahead to the final, Afridi declared, “We are ready,” signalling Pakistan’s determination to upset India’s unbeaten streak against them since 2022.

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Bangladesh’s stand-in captain Jaker Ali attributed his team’s loss to batting failures, noting, “The last two games, we lost it as a batting unit.” Despite strong bowling efforts, Bangladesh fell short chasing Pakistan’s total, with Ali lamenting the lack of support for batter Saifuddin. As Pakistan gears up for the final, Agha’s bold words and Afridi’s form set the stage for a fiercely contested showdown with India, where emotions and skill will collide.

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