'Yeah, we're ready for any challenge'- Pakistan captain ahead of India clash in Asia Cup 2025

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has urged his team to sharpen their batting in the middle overs as they prepare for a high-stakes Super Four clash against India on September 21. His comments came after Pakistan’s 41-run victory over the UAE, a result that sealed their place in the next stage of the Asia Cup but once again exposed weaknesses in their batting lineup.

“We got the job done but we needed to bat better in the middle overs,” Agha said after the match. “The bowlers did well. We haven't batted to our best yet. If we batted well, we would have ended up with 170-180. Shaheen is a match winner. His batting has improved. Abrar has been outstanding. He is someone who is bringing us back into the games. We are ready for any challenge. If we play good cricket, we can be good against any side.”

Pakistan managed only 146/9 against the UAE, saved by a late cameo from Shaheen Shah Afridi, who struck an unbeaten 29 off 14 balls. However, the top and middle orders once again let Pakistan down, with Saim Ayub failing to score a run in three matches and Agha struggling to hold the innings together in the middle.

Focus on Middle Overs and India Rivalry

The skipper reiterated that Pakistan must specifically address their struggles between overs 7 and 15, which have repeatedly left them short of competitive totals. “Yeah, we're ready for any challenge,” Agha said. “We just want to play good cricket, and if we play good cricket like we've been playing for the last few months.”

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Their upcoming contest against India is set against a charged backdrop. The group-stage meeting ended in a seven-wicket win for India, overshadowed by the no-handshake controversy linked to wider political tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack. With both sides now in the Super Four, Agha believes a sharper batting display could decide Pakistan’s fortunes. “We just want to play good cricket… If we play good cricket, we can be good against any side," he concluded