The clash for which the whole world is excited is just a few hours away, but this time the emotions and energy are not the same as they used to be. This would be the first time after the Pahalgam attack when the neighboring countries India and Pakistan will be clashing with each other. So, now it's time for India vs. Pakistan on September 14, Sunday, at the Dubai International Stadium.
Pakistan started their campaign of the Asia Cup 2025 against Oman and registered a 93-run win against them. After winning the opener game of their campaign, the Pakistan skipper Salman Agha said that if his team executes their game plan and plays good cricket, then they can beat any team, including India in the Asia Cup 2025.
He said,
"We have been playing good cricket in the last 2-3 months, and we just have to play good cricket. If we can execute our plans for a long enough period, we are good enough to beat any team."
Opting to bat first, Pakistan scored 160 for 7; credit goes to Mohammad Haris, who scored 66 runs off 43 balls, smashing seven fours and three sixes. After that, Pakistan bowled out Oman for just 67 runs in 16.4 overs, with Saim Ayub, Faheem Ashraf, and Sufiyan Muqeem taking two wickets each.
After this he said,
"With the bat, we still need to work. But with the bowling, it was outstanding. The spinners bowled really well."
"Shaheen Afridi in his second spell and Faheem also bowled well. We have three spinners, and all are very different. We have Saim as well; he is outstanding with the new and old ball. When you come to the UAE, you need to have a lot of spinners."
When the Pakistani skipper was asked about how many runs they should have scored, he said,
"It is just a game of cricket; you never know (how it goes). When we came here, it was looking good and flat. But when we batted, we were struggling. Good to post that total. That was what I was doing for the last 5-6 years for Pakistan and in the PSL. That is what I like. The skipper also told us to be aggressive."
"The way the boys bowled and fielded, they were bang on target. They executed the plan; they were 10/10. Our team is a lot better than what we performed today, and we are confident that we can do a lot better."
When asked about the plans against India, he said,
"To back ourselves and play positive cricket. Just be in the present and not think about who is bowling to you."