Dubai: After a week dominated by controversies off the field, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has asserted that his side is “ready for any challenge” as they prepare to face India again in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup on Sunday.
The build-up to the high-stakes clash comes amid political tensions between the two neighbours following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, and after a dramatic sequence of disputes involving the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the International Cricket Council (ICC), and match referee Andy Pycroft.
The handshake row and PCB’s protest
The group-stage encounter between India and Pakistan in Dubai last week sparked controversy when Indian players declined to engage in the customary post-match handshake after their commanding seven-wicket win. Pakistan, in turn, skipped the post-match presentation.
The PCB publicly criticised the conduct, demanding action against match referee Andy Pycroft, whom they accused of breaching the Code of Conduct. However, the ICC rejected the appeal. In protest, Pakistan cancelled their customary pre-match press conference and even threatened to boycott their fixture against the UAE.
According to sources, Pakistan’s players were confined to their hotel until the last minute, and the confusion caused a one-hour delay in the start of the UAE game.
Pakistan’s struggle with the bat
On the field, Pakistan’s performance against the UAE highlighted familiar weaknesses in their batting line-up. After being put in to bat, Pakistan stumbled to 128/8 with only one over remaining.
A late cameo from Shaheen Afridi provided much-needed fireworks. With two sixes and a boundary in the final over, Afridi’s unbeaten 29 off 14 balls lifted Pakistan to 146/9. Despite the modest total, Pakistan’s bowlers ensured it was more than enough.
Spinners steer Pakistan to Super Four
Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, and Salman himself bowled tight spells, sharing four wickets for just 40 runs in nine overs. Their disciplined effort restricted the UAE and powered Pakistan to a 41-run win, securing their qualification for the Super Four.
Reflecting on the victory, Salman praised his team’s resolve but admitted their batting remains an area of concern. “We got the job done, but we still need to improve our batting in the middle order. That’s been a concern. If we bat well in the middle overs, we can push totals beyond 170. Shaheen’s batting has improved a lot—he’s already great with the ball,” Salman said.
Focus shifts to India clash
Despite the distractions and disruptions, Salman struck a confident tone ahead of facing India for the second time in a week. “We’re ready for any challenge, and if we keep playing the way we have over the last four months, we’ll be good against any side,” he said.
The India-Pakistan clash remains the marquee fixture of the tournament, with both teams carrying the weight of expectations from millions of fans. For Pakistan, overcoming their batting lapses will be key to mounting a serious challenge.