Ahead of the all-important Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan, India captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to skip the customary pre-match press conference,
adding to the controversy surrounding the clash between the arch-rivals on Sunday, September 28, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
It is unclear why the 35-year-old did not address the media ahead of the critical contest. However, Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha was present to speak with the media and was queried about his opposition counterpart’s absence. He was also questioned about the India captain’s choice to forgo the traditional pre-final photoshoot, underscoring the stress and intensity surrounding the summit clash on Sunday.
“We will win. Our attempt is to play our best cricket. And we know that if we play our best cricket and execute our plans for 40 overs, then we can beat any team. It is completely his call, whether he wants to come or not. I can’t do anything about that,” Agha told reporters on the eve of the game.
“There is a lot of pressure on Pakistan and India, and if we say that there is no pressure, then it is wrong. But yes, we have made more mistakes than they have, and that is why we have not won matches. I think in the match between Pakistan and India, the team with fewer mistakes will win the game,” Salman said.
For India, it will be worth the wait for the final to see if the star all-rounder Hardik Pandya makes the cut in the Playing XI for the finale. For the unversed, the experienced campaigner faced a cramp while fielding in India’s penultimate clash against Sri Lanka on Friday, and an update on his fitness will be keenly awaited.
India
