Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said the decision regarding the team’s potential clash with India in the World Cup is not in the players’ hands.

Agha emphasized respect for the government’s call while expressing excitement for his first World Cup as captain.

Speaking to reporters in Colombo, Agha made it clear that the team will abide by the government’s decision concerning the India fixture. “The issue of the match with India is not in our hands. We respect whatever the government decides,” he said.

The Pakistan captain reiterated that the focus remains on competing strongly against other teams in the tournament.

Excited for World Cup debut as captain

Agha shared his enthusiasm for leading Pakistan in his first World Cup campaign. “I am very excited for this. We are preparing hard for the match against the Netherlands and hope to see good results,” he said.

Reflecting on past performances, he admitted, “We could not meet the expectations of the fans in previous tournaments. The team is playing well, and we hope the results will follow.”

While the team respects decisions on the India fixture, Agha emphasized that no team in the World Cup should be considered weak. He praised Sri Lanka, where Pakistan is currently training, saying, “Sri Lanka feels like a second home, and the people here are very good. Playing cricket here has always felt great.”

He also expressed regret that Bangladesh will not participate in the World Cup, calling it a pity for the tournament.