Dubai: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has thrown his weight behind his players’ aggressive mindset ahead of the first-ever Asia Cup final between Pakistan and India, saying controlled aggression is essential, especially for fast bowlers.
Speaking at a heated pre-match press conference, Salman stressed that while discipline and respect remain non-negotiable, he would not curb his team’s natural intensity.
Every individual has their own way. If a player wants to be aggressive, then why not? If you take aggression away from a fast bowler, then there’s nothing left, Salman said, responding to a question from an Indian journalist.
The skipper also criticized the Indian team’s refusal to engage in customary post-match handshakes, calling it unprecedented. I’ve been playing since 2007, I’ve never seen teams not shake hands, he remarked, highlighting that such gestures took place even in more hostile times between the two nations.
Salman dismissed reports that Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav had skipped the captains’ photoshoot ahead of the final, saying it was India’s internal matter. That’s their choice. We have our own protocols. If he wants to attend, he can; if not, that’s up to him.
The build-up to the final has been further charged after Yadav was found guilty by the ICC of breaching its code of conduct over remarks referencing the brief military conflict between India and Pakistan earlier this year.
With the Green Shirts overcoming two heavy defeats against India to reach the final after edging Bangladesh in their last Super Four match, Salman is hopeful I believe we have saved our best for the final.