Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan Ready for India Rematch, Says Salman Agha

Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha has confirmed his team is fully prepared to face India again in the Asia Cup Super Fours, after last week’s fiery group-stage clash ended in controversy.

Pakistan Advances to Super Fours

On Wednesday, Pakistan secured a 41-run victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to qualify for the Super Fours stage. They will now face India once again, alongside two teams from Group B, in a round-robin format.

Speaking after the win, Salman Agha said:

“We are ready, we are ready for any challenge. If we continue to play the kind of cricket we have been playing in recent months, we can compete with any team.”

Batting Concerns Despite Victory

While Fakhar Zaman scored a steady 50, Pakistan’s top-order batting once again came under scrutiny.

• Saim Ayub registered his third consecutive duck in the tournament.

• Middle-order batters struggled against the UAE’s modest bowling attack.

Salman admitted improvement was needed:

“We got the job done, but our middle-order batting must improve. That’s a concern we need to address before facing stronger opponents.”

India-Pakistan Rivalry: More Than Just Cricket

The highly-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash last weekend saw India claim a seven-wicket victory. However, the post-match atmosphere turned tense when players refused to shake hands, sparking global headlines.

Adding fuel to the fire, India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the win to the armed forces, a gesture many in Pakistan considered the politicisation of cricket.

PCB’s Protest and Match Referee Controversy

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) raised strong objections, demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft after allegations that he had told Salman Agha not to shake hands with India’s captain.

Although Pakistan initially considered withdrawing from the tournament, the issue was resolved when Pycroft formally apologised to Pakistan’s team management and captain ahead of the UAE match.

Possible Third Clash on September 28

With both teams now in the Super Fours, the Asia Cup 2025 could deliver a third India-Pakistan showdown if the arch-rivals progress to the final on September 28.

Fans across Asia and beyond are eagerly awaiting what could be the biggest cricket battle of the year, with tensions high and pride on the line.

Final Word

• Pakistan will look to fix its middle-order batting woes.

• India will aim to continue its dominance after a convincing first win.

• Another blockbuster India vs Pakistan clash is set to light up the Asia Cup 2025.

With the historic rivalry, political undertones, and the stakes of the tournament, the upcoming rematch promises to be one of the most-watched cricket matches of the year.