Pakistan cricket captain Salman Ali Agha on Thursday maintained the national team has the capability to defeat rival India in this week’s Asia Cup final, as he acknowledged room for improvement after the victory over Bangladesh in the semi-final of the tournament.
The national team qualified for the final against India after defeating Bangladesh by 11 runs in the Super Four clash of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 tournament. Pakistan was first at bat, scoring 135 runs in 20 overs against 8 outs. In its turn at bat, Bangladesh scored 124 runs against nine outs.
Shaheed Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Saim Ayub all secured two wickets each, while Mohammad Nawaz claimed the ninth wicket.
Speaking with media after the match, Agha acknowledged room for improvement but stressed that the team was capable of emerging victorious in Sunday’s final. “If you can win these kinds of games, you must be a special team. Everyone chipped in. The way Shaheen bowled and the way Haris bowled up front, it was special,” he said, adding the team would be “better” in the final.
According to Agha, the team fell short of its target by around 15 runs, but said the bowlers had managed to put pressure on Bangladesh, enabling the win. He also appreciated the team’s fielding.
This marks the first time since the launch of the Asia Cup that Pakistan and India are facing off in the tournament’s final.