Pakistan T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha opened up about a costly decision during the Asia Cup 2025 final against arch-rivals India.
During the final, Haris Rauf gave 50 runs in just 3.4 overs and remained wicketless against India in the final.
At an important stage of the game, when India were reeling at 83-4 after 14 overs, Haris was brought back into the attack by Agha. However, he conceded 17 runs in an over, which shifted the momentum in India’s favor.
After an expensive over, he was taken off the attack but was later brought back into the 18th over, where he conceded another 13 runs. This left India needing 17 runs from 12 balls.
Speaking on the ARY Podcast, Agha recalled the Asia Cup 2025 final against India, admitting that mistakes were made during the Asia Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026.
“There are a lot of things. One year has passed since I began to captain, and that too in two tournaments. So many mistakes must have happened. If our results weren’t good, then mistakes would have happened,” he said.
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“In the Asia Cup final, I decided that if I had continued with Abrar, I never know what would have happened to the result. That is one thing I would like to change,” he added.
He also said that he had given Haris Rauf the ball because he was Pakistan’s main bowler in that match. However, he could not rise to the occasion, reflecting that Abrar might have changed the course of the game.
“If you see the other side, I gave Haris the ball; he was our main bowler in that match. He couldn’t bowl well, couldn’t execute his plans properly,” Agha explained.
“I feel that if I continue with Abrar, you never know what would have happened to the game,” Agha concluded.
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