Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha spoke with confidence and aggression during the pre-match press conference on Saturday ahead of the Asia Cup final against India in Dubai.
Facing sharp questions from journalists, Salman stayed composed and answered with authority.
On the handshake controversy, he stated, “Pakistan and India have had tense relations before, but the tradition of not shaking hands never existed. This is not good for cricket.” He added that even his father, a keen cricket follower, always encouraged handshakes.
When asked about the traditional pre-final trophy photoshoot, Salman responded firmly: “We are ready as per the rules of the game. Whoever wants to come can come, whoever doesn’t want to, that’s their choice. We don’t car.”
The captain admitted his own performances had not matched the expectations of a skipper. “Yes, my strike rate needs improvement, and I should perform better as a captain. But my focus, and the team’s focus, is only on winning the Asia Cup,” he said.
Taking a dig at the Indian media, Salman remarked, “I don’t care about what the Indian media says. Both teams are under pressure, but we will give our best to win.”
He also backed young opener Saim Ayub, saying, “Saim will be Pakistan’s top performer for the next 10 years. He may not be shining with the bat right now, but in bowling and fielding he is contributing a lot, and soon he will shine in batting as well.”
In an emotional tone, Salman highlighted the passion behind Pakistan’s campaign: “If a cricketer cannot show emotions on the field, then where else can he? What happens outside the field does not concern us. Our only aim is to play the best cricket and lift the Asia Cup trophy.”
The final between Pakistan and India is scheduled for Sunday, September 28, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.