Asia Cup Final: Salman Ali Agha Backs Pakistan Over India

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has expressed supreme confidence in his team’s ability to defeat India in the Asia Cup 2025 final, following their nail-biting 11-run victory over Bangladesh that secured their place in Sunday’s championship decider. The skipper’s bold declaration comes after a pressure-cooker performance that demonstrated Pakistan’s resilience under extreme circumstances.

Pakistan secured their spot in the Asia Cup 2025 final with a thrilling 11-run victory over Bangladesh in a do-or-die Super Four encounter at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Bangladesh succumbed to the pressure of a high-stakes game, losing their way in a chase of only 136, allowing Pakistan to advance to their first Asia Cup final in several years.

Having pulled off a thrilling win over Bangladesh, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha said such victories make him believe it is a “special team” and added his side has the quality to beat anyone, including India, in the Asia Cup final. The captain’s confidence stems from his team’s ability to perform under pressure when tournament survival was at stake.

In his post-match press conference, Salman Ali Agha highlighted the character-building nature of their latest victory. “If you can win matches like these, then you truly are a special team,” the captain declared, emphasizing how pressure situations reveal a team’s true mettle.

The skipper specifically praised his bowlers’ discipline and his team’s fielding commitment as key factors that made the difference against Bangladesh. This tactical execution under pressure has given him confidence that Pakistan possesses the necessary ingredients to compete against any opposition, including arch-rivals India.

Salman Ali Agha’s confidence isn’t based on mere optimism but on tactical awareness of what the final demands. “We are fully aware of what the final demands. We’re prepared,” he stated, indicating comprehensive preparation for the championship encounter.

The captain’s measured approach suggests Pakistan’s management has analyzed their previous encounters with India during this tournament and identified areas where they can improve their performance for the final showdown.

Shaheen and Haris grab three wickets each in Dubai clash, demonstrating Pakistan’s bowling depth and execution when the stakes were highest. The pace bowling duo’s combined six-wicket haul proved decisive in restricting Bangladesh to a below-par total.

Pakistan’s bowling unit has emerged as a tournament strength, with different bowlers stepping up in crucial moments throughout their Asia Cup campaign. This reliability in pressure situations forms the foundation of Salman’s confidence heading into the final.

The Greenshirts will play India in the final on September 28, setting up one of cricket’s most anticipated rivalries on the biggest stage. Pakistan and India have faced each other twice earlier in this tournament, with India winning both encounters comfortably, creating additional pressure for Pakistan to prove themselves.

However, Salman Ali Agha believes that finals create different pressure dynamics where previous results become less relevant. The captain’s confidence suggests he views the final as a fresh opportunity to demonstrate Pakistan’s true potential.

The Bangladesh victory represented more than just qualification for Pakistan; it was a psychological breakthrough that proved their ability to handle elimination pressure. Bangladesh and Pakistan played out a thrilling final Super 4 tie which went in the favour of Pakistan who booked a final date with arch rivals India on Sunday.

This victory has injected belief into a Pakistan side that has often struggled with consistency throughout their recent international campaigns. The captain’s confidence reflects this renewed self-belief within the squad.

Pakistan’s qualification ensures yet another high-voltage encounter between cricket’s fiercest rivals, this time with silverware at stake. The final will test whether Pakistan can overcome their recent struggles against India when it matters most.

Salman Ali Agha’s confidence could prove crucial in maintaining team morale and ensuring Pakistan approaches the final with positive mindset despite their previous defeats to India in this tournament.

The captain’s preparation comments suggest Pakistan has learned from their earlier encounters with India and identified specific improvements needed for final success. This analytical approach, combined with renewed confidence from the Bangladesh victory, positions Pakistan as dangerous opponents.

The team’s bowling execution against Bangladesh, particularly in pressure moments, provides a template for how they might trouble India’s batting lineup in the final encounter.

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Sunday’s final represents Pakistan’s best opportunity to claim their third Asia Cup title and first since 2012. Salman Ali Agha’s confidence reflects the significance of this achievement potential for Pakistani cricket’s recent trajectory.

The captain’s bold predictions also add psychological pressure on India, who enter the final as favorites based on their perfect record against Pakistan in this tournament.

Pakistan’s bowlers rose to the occasion, defending a modest total against Bangladesh, demonstrating the kind of clutch performance that can prove decisive in championship finals. This execution under pressure gives credibility to Salman’s confident predictions.

The team’s ability to perform when elimination loomed provides psychological ammunition for approaching the final as underdogs with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

As Pakistan prepares for Sunday’s championship decider, Salman Ali Agha’s confidence serves as both motivation for his team and a statement of intent to their opponents. His belief in Pakistan’s “special team” quality will be tested against India’s proven tournament form.

The captain’s bold stance creates additional pressure on his own team to deliver, but also demonstrates the kind of leadership confidence that can inspire breakthrough performances on cricket’s biggest stages.

The Asia Cup 2025 final promises to deliver another chapter in cricket’s greatest rivalry, with Pakistan’s renewed confidence under Salman Ali Agha’s captaincy providing hope for ending their recent struggles against India when championships are at stake.