Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has made it clear that his team wants to face the strongest possible Indian side ahead of the highly anticipated Pakistan vs India match on February 15 in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Salman Ali Agha expressed his hope that Indian opener Abhishek Sharma will recover in time to play.
“I hope Abhishek Sharma plays tomorrow, I hope he is recovering well. We want to play against the best,” Agha said.
Abhishek Sharma has been unwell since the start of the tournament. He played India’s opening match despite having a fever and later attended the team bonding dinner at Gautam Gambhir’s residence but left early due to his health.
Earlier this week, the 24-year-old was admitted to the hospital. His discharge was confirmed by teammate Tilak Varma during Tuesday’s press conference ahead of the India vs Namibia match. Although Sharma missed that game, the left-hander appeared in good spirits as he traveled with the Indian squad to Colombo on Friday evening.
The final decision on his availability remains pending as the much-anticipated clash approaches.
Salman Ali Agha also addressed concerns surrounding spinner Usman Tariq’s bowling action. Dismissing the ongoing discussion, the Pakistan captain emphasized that Tariq has already been cleared.
“You cannot stop anyone’s opinion; everyone is entitled to speak,” Agha said, acknowledging the scrutiny players face from the public and media.
He further stressed the importance of team unity and collective responsibility. “For us, all players are the same. You all have made Usman Tariq; he is a trump card for us,” he said, describing Tariq as a key asset for Pakistan.
Turning to preparations for the high-profile encounter, Salman Ali Agha expressed full confidence in his squad and their understanding of the conditions.
“We are ready to play good cricket. We are in tune with the conditions and know the pitch. All 15 players are important; anyone can play,” he said, highlighting the depth within the team.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s past World Cup record against India, Salman Ali Agha acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the team’s focus on improvement.
“Our record has not been great, but we have learned from history and will try to play well tomorrow,” he said, adding that the final playing XI will be decided after assessing the pitch.
When asked about India’s strong batting lineup and the form of Babar Azam, Agha remained composed. While acknowledging Azam’s run-scoring form, he made it clear that Pakistan’s focus is on executing its own plans.
“Babar Azam is scoring runs, but it is not a concern for us. Hopefully, he continues to score tomorrow as well,” Agha said.
With both teams preparing for one of cricket’s biggest rivalries, all eyes are now on Colombo as the countdown to Sunday’s showdown continues.
