Pakistan's Agha Issues Bold Challenge to India Ahead of Asia Cup Clash

Pakistan captain Salman Agha has fired a warning at India ahead of their clash against the arch-rivals in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. Pakistan began their campaign on a winning note, beating Oman by 93 runs in their opening clash in Dubai. After posting 160/7 in their allotted 20 overs, Pakistan bundled out Oman for just 67 to get the tournament off to a rollicking start.

After beating Oman, Pakistan will next lock horns with India on Sunday, September 14. Ahead of the high-voltage clash, Pakistan captain played down pressure talks, saying that his team is in good form and can beat anyone on their day.

“I think we have been playing really good cricket in the past 2 or 3 months. I've been saying that again and again. We just won a tri-nation series and we won here very comprehensively. So we just need to play a good cricket, and I if we execute our plan for a longer period, I think we're a good enough team to beat any team,” said Salman Agha in the post-match presentation.

Mohammad Haris was adjudged Player of the Match in Pakistan’s dominant victory as he played a marvelous innings of 66 (43), smashing seven fours and three sixes. Following his performance, Haris revealed that he’s happy to bat anywhere for his team and also mentioned the instructions given to bat aggressively from Salman Agha.

“(On batting position) No, whatever the team demands from me, I'm ok with it, even if the teams tell me that you are batting at 10th in the next match, I'm ok with it. (On aggressive batting) Yeah, that's what I was doing from the last 5 to 6 years for Pakistan and for different teams in PSL. So that's what I like and it’s my strength as well. And secondly, the skipper also told the instruction to all the players that we have to be aggressive,” said Mohammad Haris.

Having beaten Oman, Pakistan will carry confidence into their next fixture against India. However, the Men in Green will have to play out of their skins against the arch rivals, who have the upper hand over them in head-to-head battles. India have beaten Pakistan in ten out of 13 T20Is played between the two teams and have also hammered them in the last five international fixtures between the two sides.