Colombo, February 14: As the high-stakes India-Pakistan showdown looms at R. Premadasa Stadium this Sunday, Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha has expressed hope for a match played in the true spirit of cricket. However, he stopped short of committing to the traditional post-match handshake with Indian players.
The tension traces back to September 2025 during the Asia Cup, where India’s men’s team refused to shake hands with Pakistani counterparts after all three encounters. Adding to the strain, Team India also declined to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi, who doubles as Pakistan’s home minister.
Speaking to reporters in Colombo on Saturday, Agha emphasized the essence of the game. ‘Cricket should be played in the right spirit,’ he said. ‘What I expect doesn’t really matter, but I believe it should be played as it has been since the sport’s inception. The rest is up to them (India) – whatever they want to do.’
When pressed on whether he would shake hands with Indian players, Agha was cryptic: ‘You’ll find out tomorrow.’
Weather could play spoiler, with rain threats hovering over the fixture. Dismissing external factors, Agha insisted team performance would decide the outcome. ‘The toss doesn’t decide the game,’ he declared. ‘If you play good cricket, you win. Cricket matters, not the toss.’
Agha anticipates India fielding its strongest XI, specifically hoping for Abhishek Sharma’s inclusion. ‘I hope Abhishek plays tomorrow. I hope he’s recovering. We want to face the best players.’
In Group A standings, India tops the table with two wins and a net run rate of +3.050, while Pakistan sits second with +0.932 after their opening victories. This blockbuster clash promises fireworks, regardless of off-field formalities.