Asia Cup 2025: Salman Agha fires warning shot before India vs Pakistan clash

Group A is unfolding along the predicted course of action as the Asia Cup 2025 progresses in the UAE. Team India began their campaign with a thumping 9-wicket victory over the UAE. With the Men in Blue completing the 58-run chase in just 5 overs, the India vs UAE match marked their biggest-ever win in the format in terms of balls remaining. Pakistan, meanwhile, launched their campaign against Oman, beating their opponents by 93 runs. The focus now shifts to the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash. Arguably the most awaited showdown of the tournament, the contest promises to bring the thrill to the Asia Cup.

Asia Cup 2025: "We're good enough to beat any team," says Salman Agha ahead of India vs Pakistan clash

Pakistan entered the Asia Cup 2025 on the back of an emphatic victory in the UAE tri-series. The Men in Green seem to have found their mojo in the shorter format, though the success is still a fresh occurrence. Led by Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan fielded a spin-heavy attack in Dubai against Oman. Haris Rauf sat out, with Shaheen Afridi the sole specialist pacer in the Pakistan Playing XI. The combination, similar to what India used in their campaign opener, worked impressively for Pakistan.

Winning the toss, the Pakistan captain opted to bowl first against the associate nation. The decision, however, backfired on the Pakistani batters at the Dubai turf. Saim Ayub was undone by Shah Faisal on the very first ball he faced, trapped lbw. Sahibzada Farhan, meanwhile, tread carefully, scoring a run-a-ball 29 before falling to a caught-and-bowled dismissal. The skipper, too, followed Ayub’s fate, walking back for a duck.

However, Oman’s grip was forced to loosen by Mohammad Haris. The batter smashed a half-century at a strike rate that compensated for the struggles of the rest of the lineup. Haris’s 66 off 43 balls lifted the total to 160, as Pakistan eventually reclaimed their position of dominance in the Asia Cup campaign opener. When it came to the chase, Oman could not show the same grit as in the first innings. Saim Ayub struck with his very first delivery, and Oman's batting line-up dwindled swiftly from there. All six bowlers were among the wickets, although it was spin that shone the brightest in Dubai. Oman were bundled out for just 67 as Pakistan sealed a 93-run victory, setting the tone of dominance for the tournament ahead.

However, Pakistan's next fixture is not against another associate nation but against the No.1 ranked T20I team. While the India vs Pakistan rivalry carries a rich history, the current scenario highlights a gulf in stature. The Men in Green will hope their spin web works just as effectively against India, but the Men in Blue have a formidable arsenal of their own. Kuldeep Yadav, making his T20I return in the Asia Cup opener against the UAE, picked up a four-fer, cementing his spot for the tournament ahead.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's batting lineup clearly shows significant scope for improvement. Saim Ayub, the opener regarded as the best in their order, began his campaign with a duck, while his partner, Sahibzada Farhan, failed to break free against Oman. Pakistan skipper Salman Agha acknowledged these shortcomings but maintained that his team is good enough to beat “anybody.” In the post-match presentation following their Asia Cup opener, Agha reflected on the challenges ahead.

"I think we have been playing really good cricket in the past 2 or 3 months. I've been saying that again and again. We just won a tri-nation series and we won here very comprehensively. So we just need to play a good cricket, and if we execute our plan for a longer period, I think we're a good enough team to beat any team," Agha said.

While the teams look forward to the contest in Dubai, the India vs Pakistan clash is surrounded by severe scrutiny. A majority of the Indian audience has called for boycotting the fixture. A section of citizens expressed displeasure, arguing that the match should not proceed in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. A petition was filed against the fixture, but the Supreme Court dismissed it. As per government policy, India refrains from bilateral series against Pakistan but competes against them in multinational tournaments.