In Delhi, amidst lingering tensions from a recent handshake controversy and a resolved standoff with match referee Andy Pycroft, Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, confidently declared his team’s readiness for their monumental Super Four showdown against India. He asserted, “We are ready for any challenge.”
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The rivalry between India and Pakistan has regrettably extended beyond the playing field. Their previous group-stage encounter in Dubai, overshadowed by the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, had already sparked calls for a boycott. Following India’s decisive seven-wicket victory, their players controversially bypassed the traditional post-match handshakes, a gesture met with Pakistan’s team boycotting the subsequent presentation ceremony.
Former cricketers widely condemned India’s stance, while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) accused Pycroft of a ‘breach of conduct’ and demanded his removal. The International Cricket Council’s refusal to comply further intensified the drama, compelling Pakistan to cancel a planned press conference. Tensions reached new heights before their match against UAE when the team threatened to boycott, remaining at their Dubai Marina hotel until merely 30 minutes before the toss, leading to an unprecedented one-hour delay.
During their match, Pakistan’s batting order struggled, collapsing to 128/8 until Shaheen Afridi’s explosive late-game performance—a rapid 29 runs off just 14 balls, including two sixes and a four—boosted their total to a respectable 146/9. This seemingly modest score was more than sufficient, as Captain Salman, alongside the impressive spin of Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub, expertly restricted UAE, securing a 41-run victory and a coveted Super Four spot.
Despite the victory, Salman was transparent about his team’s deficiencies, stating, “While we achieved the win, our middle-order batting remains a significant area for improvement. We’re consistently struggling to reach even 150. If we can perform better in the middle overs, we have the potential to score 170 against any opponent. On a positive note, Shaheen’s batting has shown remarkable progress, complementing his already exceptional bowling skills.”
However, it was his powerful rallying cry that truly amplified the anticipation for Sunday’s decisive clash: “We are prepared for any challenge that comes our way, and if we maintain the high level of performance we’ve demonstrated over the past four months, we are confident we can prevail against any team.”
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