Pakistan T20I captain Salman Agha expressed confidence ahead of the Asia Cup final against India, saying the team would aim to follow its plan throughout the match.
Speaking at a press conference before the match, he said, "Inshallah, we will see Pakistan winning tomorrow. We are trying to play our best cricket. If we follow the plan for forty overs, we can beat any team."
He lavished his praise on opener Saim Ayub, saying the young player had proven his worth in fielding and bowling and had the potential to serve Pakistan for the next 10 years. He added that expectations remained high for Ayub’s performance with the bat in the final.
Salman emphasised that matters outside the pitch were not the team’s concern. "It is not our job to control the words of the media or other people. Our goal is to win the Asia Cup. We will take to the field for that," he said.
Addressing the recent controversy over the absence of a post-match handshake, he remarked, "I have never seen a handshake between the two teams. My father never said that a handshake did not happen. There have been Pakistan-India matches before. Despite the deteriorating situation, a handshake was done. Not having a handshake is not good for cricket."
Salman said that earlier pitch conditions had favoured spinners, which informed the team’s reliance on spin. He maintained that displays of aggression on the field were not an issue, provided players respected boundaries. "If you take away the aggression from the fast bowlers, nothing will be left. Every player knows how to control their emotions. Every player has the right to express their emotions, just don't insult anyone," he said.
