New Delhi: Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha has urged his team to sharpen their batting in the middle overs as they prepare for a high-voltage Asia Cup Super Four clash against arch-rivals India on September 21. His remarks came after Pakistan’s 41-run win over the UAE, a result that secured their Super Four berth but also highlighted persistent batting concerns.
“We got the job done, but we needed to bat better in the middle overs,” Agha said after the game. “Our bowlers were excellent, but we haven’t batted to our full potential. If we had done so, we could have easily put 170–180 on the board. Shaheen is a match-winner, his batting has improved a lot. Abrar has been outstanding and keeps bringing us back into games. We are ready for any challenge. If we play good cricket, we can match any side.”
Pakistan managed just 146/9 against the UAE, with Shaheen Shah Afridi providing late fireworks with an unbeaten 29 off 14 balls to drag the team to a defendable total. The top and middle order, however, struggled once again, with opener Saim Ayub yet to open his account in three games and Agha himself battling for consistency in the crucial middle phase.
The captain stressed that converting overs 7–15 into strong scoring periods is critical for Pakistan’s success. “We’re ready for any challenge,” he reiterated. “We just want to play good cricket, and if we do that, we can compete with anyone.”
The high-stakes clash against India comes with added drama following their last group-stage encounter, which India won by seven wickets. The post-match “no-handshake” incident, linked to political tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, has only intensified the rivalry.
For Pakistan, addressing their batting vulnerabilities could be key to overcoming India’s potent bowling attack and avoiding another setback. “If we play good cricket, we can beat any team,” Agha concluded.
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