"We Were Always Ready": Salman Agha Confident Ahead of High-Stakes India vs Pakistan Showdown

COLOMBO: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha struck a composed yet confident note on the eve of cricket’s most intense rivalry, insisting his side is fully prepared despite the late confirmation of the fixture. 

A day before the India vs Pakistan match, the skipper underlined that uncertainty off the field had not distracted Pakistan from their on-field focus at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Sunday’s showdown against India has gripped Colombo, with a packed R. Premadasa Stadium and a global television audience expected to tune in. The contest was only cleared days ago following a shift in Pakistan’s government stance, but Agha insisted the players never eased off their preparations.

“This is a very big game, and the magnitude is huge,” Salman Agha said during Pakistan’s final training session. “We were always ready for the game, whatever the decision.”

Pakistan enters the clash unbeaten, having edged past the Netherlands in a tense finish before a controlled victory over the USA. India, too, has collected two wins, setting up a virtual group decider where momentum could define the path to the Super Eights.

Agha believes Pakistan’s extended stay in Sri Lanka could be an advantage. “We are in good momentum, and I hope that being in Colombo since the start will help us in terms of conditions. However, we have to play good cricket to win the match,” he noted.

Weather may yet play a role, with rain forecast for Sunday evening. Even so, Agha hinted that spin could be central to Pakistan’s plans, backing mystery bowler Tariq Usman as a potential difference-maker.

“Tariq has been bowling well, and I am sure the mystery element will make him our trump card,” he said, dismissing questions around the bowler’s action. “He has been cleared twice, so there are no worries.”

Beyond tactics, Agha also touched on sportsmanship, expressing hope that both teams would uphold cricketing traditions. “The game should be played in the true spirit of the game,” he said. “It has been the norm in cricket for years, but whatever way they want, we will only know tomorrow.”

India, meanwhile, is monitoring the fitness of opener Abhishek Sharma. Agha welcomed the prospect of facing a full-strength side: “We want to play against the best. I hope he’s fine.”

With a Super Eights berth effectively on the line, the stage is set for another high-stakes chapter in the India vs Pakistan rivalry.