Agha hopes for ‘right spirit’ as Pakistan-India T20 clash looms amid political tensions

COLOMBO: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha expects Sunday’s politically charged Twenty20 World Cup showdown against archrivals Indian national cricket team to be played in the right spirit, though he remains uncertain whether the customary pre-match handshakes will take place.

The two sides are set to meet for the first time since last year’s Asia Cup final—a high-voltage encounter staged in the aftermath of military tensions between India and Pakistan that had nearly escalated into full-scale conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

India defeated Pakistan three times in that Asia Cup, including the September 28 final in Dubai, but declined to shake hands with their opponents either before or after the matches—a move that drew widespread attention.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Agha said he hoped Sunday’s match would uphold the tradition of sportsmanship. “I expect the game should be played in the spirit that it has always been played since its inception,” he said, adding that whether handshakes would occur would only become clear on match day. “We’ll find out tomorrow.”

The latest encounter comes after Pakistan had briefly threatened to boycott the fixture in protest over Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament for refusing to travel to India, citing security concerns. The standoff raised fears of the cancellation of one of cricket’s most commercially valuable contests, with broadcasters reportedly facing the prospect of losing millions of dollars in advertising revenue.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) subsequently engaged in negotiations with stakeholders before securing a compromise to ensure the match would proceed as scheduled.

“India v Pakistan is a game of high magnitude … Tomorrow’s game is no different,” Agha said. “From our side, before heading into the tournament, we were prepared for all possible scenarios—whether the game would go ahead or not.”

Both teams enter the clash in strong form, having won their opening two matches of the tournament, setting the stage for another high-stakes encounter.

India, however, face uncertainty over explosive opener Abhishek Sharma, who has been battling a stomach bug. Agha said he hoped Sharma would recover in time. “We want to play against the best, good luck to him,” he remarked.

Reflecting on the pressures surrounding the fixture, Agha acknowledged the additional burden of leadership. “It’s an added responsibility when you are the captain of your side and you’re representing your country,” he said. “You can’t run away from the responsibility… You just need to find a way to deal with that.”

With rain forecast for Sunday, the Pakistan skipper said his side was prepared to adapt if weather interruptions shorten the match. “We cannot control that but we’re ready to make adjustments if the game gets shortened,” he said.

As anticipation builds, Sunday’s clash promises not only sporting drama but also a test of composure and diplomacy on cricket’s biggest stage.