Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has said that the Asia Cup final against India will be decided by the team that makes fewer mistakes, stressing that Pakistan’s focus is firmly on performance and discipline rather than off-field matters, 24NewsHD TV reported.
Speaking to the media on the eve of the much-anticipated contest, Agha admitted that India had the upper hand in the last two meetings because they committed fewer errors.
“The team that makes fewer mistakes wins. In the last two matches, India made fewer mistakes than us, and that tilted the balance in their favor,” he remarked.
The captain acknowledged that his own batting had not lived up to expectations.
“I know I have not delivered the kind of batting performance I should have. I am working on it,” he said, adding that strike rate is crucial in T20 cricket and he aims to contribute more effectively in the decisive clash.
Asked about aggression on the field, Agha responded that it was a matter of individual style.
“If someone wants to be aggressive on the ground, it is an individual act. We cannot take the aggression away from our fast bowlers,” he explained.
He also moved to quash speculation over post-match handshakes, calling it an unnecessary controversy.
“I have been playing since 2007, and I have never seen a situation where there was no handshake between the teams.
Pakistan and India matches have been played in even tougher conditions, and yet such an issue has never arisen,” he clarified.
“For cricket, it is not good if there is no handshake between the two sides.”
Acknowledging the pressure surrounding the final, the skipper said both teams would carry the same weight of expectations, but Pakistan’s mission was clear. “Our goal is to win the Asia Cup trophy.
Our message to the team is clear: whatever happens outside, it should not affect us. Our only focus is on our performance,” he stressed.
Downplaying the importance of the toss, he described it as “just a way to start the game” and insisted that Pakistan would stick to its game plan throughout the full 40 overs.
He also praised young batter Saim Ayub for his consistency. “He has contributed in every match, and we hope he will bat well in the final too,” he said.
When asked about the trophy photoshoot, Agha said it was up to the Indian captain to attend or not, but Pakistan would continue to respect and follow all protocols.
Looking ahead with optimism, he hinted that Pakistan’s best might still be saved for the final.