A new ripple of controversy has surfaced in the lead-up to the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 final. Reports indicate that India’s star batsman, Suryakumar Yadav, reportedly skipped the pre-final captain’s photoshoot alongside Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha.
When questioned about the incident, Agha responded with diplomatic composure, stating that the decision to attend was entirely at the discretion of the Indian team. “They are free to do as they please; we will simply adhere to the established protocol,” Agha told reporters during a pre-match press interaction. “It is up to them whether they choose to come or not; we cannot intervene.”
Amidst the media attention surrounding this occurrence, Agha firmly redirected focus towards his team’s primary objective: winning the Asia Cup. “We choose not to dwell on factors beyond our control, such as media speculation and external noise. Our singular goal is the Asia Cup. We arrived here prepared to play exceptional cricket, and tomorrow, we are determined to clinch the final victory.”
The eagerly awaited final is scheduled for September 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, marking the third encounter between India and Pakistan in this tournament.
Regarding strategy, Agha remained tight-lipped, only emphasizing flexibility. “I will not disclose our strategy, but as I’ve mentioned before, it hinges on the prevailing conditions. If the pitch aids spin, we start with spinners. If it favors pace, we deploy pacers. It’s always about adapting to the moment,” he explained.
Agha also acknowledged the immense pressure inherent in India-Pakistan matches. “Indeed, games between Pakistan and India are always high-pressure affairs; it would be disingenuous to suggest otherwise. However, the reality is, we made more errors than them, which led to our losses. In these high-stakes games, the team that minimizes mistakes typically emerges victorious. Our aim for tomorrow is to significantly reduce those errors.”
So far, India has maintained an impeccable record against Pakistan in the tournament, securing victories in both their group-stage and Super Four matches. With this momentum, they aim to extend their dominant run.
For Pakistan, the stakes are exceptionally high. The Men in Green are eager to avenge their previous defeats and claim their third Asia Cup title, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.