DUBAI: Pakistan captain Salman Agha said his side were ready to face India in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup on Sunday, following their 41-run victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai.
The statement comes after last week’s group-stage clash between the arch-rivals ended in controversy, with India’s players refusing to shake hands. Bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan has been suspended since 2013, and they now meet only in multi-team tournaments.
“We are ready, we are ready for any challenge,” Salman said after the UAE match. “If we play good cricket, like we have played in the last few months, I think we’ll be good against any side.”
The captain, however, acknowledged that Pakistan’s batting needed improvement. “We got the job done, but we still need to improve our batting in the middle order. That’s been a concern and something we need to work on,” he added.
Pakistan booked their Super Four spot after beating UAE in a must-win fixture. Batting first, the Green Shirts posted 146 for nine, with Fakhar Zaman top-scoring with 50 off 36 balls. Lower down the order, Shaheen Shah Afridi struck an unbeaten 29 off 14 deliveries to boost the total after a late collapse.
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UAE’s reply folded for 105 in 17.4 overs, with Shaheen leading the bowling attack by taking 2 for 16. Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed also claimed two wickets each, while captain Salman and Saim Ayub chipped in with one apiece. Wicketkeeper Rahul Chopra resisted with 35, but the rest of the batting line-up faltered against Pakistan’s disciplined attack.
The earlier clash between India and Pakistan saw the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodge a protest, alleging that match referee Andy Pycroft had instructed Salman not to shake hands with Suryakumar before the toss.
The PCB even considered withdrawing from the tournament but later confirmed Pycroft had apologised, allowing the matter to be settled.
India and Pakistan are now set for a rematch in the Super Four. If both sides qualify, they could meet for a third time in the final on 28 September.
