DUBAI: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said on Saturday that his players would be free to express aggression on the field as his side prepared to face India in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday.
The high-stakes clash will be the first Asia Cup final contested between the two neighbours, intensifying one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries. Pakistan booked their place with an 11-run win over Bangladesh in their final Super Four match, while India entered the final unbeaten.
“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, there’s nothing left,” Agha told reporters at the pre-match press conference.
Asked by an Indian journalist whether it was his responsibility to control emotions, the skipper replied: “Every player knows how to handle their emotions. I give them a free hand unless they are disrespecting someone or our country.”
The buildup to the final has been overshadowed by controversy after India refused post-match handshakes in earlier encounters. “I’ve never seen teams not shake hands,” Agha remarked. “No handshake is bad for cricket.”
On Friday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) fined Yadav for breaching the code of conduct after dedicating India’s September 14 win over Pakistan to victims of the Pahalgam incident, remarks the PCB described as political. Pakistan had sought a harsher penalty.
Separately, Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf was fined 30 percent of his match fee, while opener Sahibzada Farhan received a warning, for gestures made during the Super Four clash against India.
Read Also:PCB chairman Naqvi to personally pay Haris Rauf’s fine
