On the eve of the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 final, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha struck a confident, aggressive, and uncompromising tone as he addressed a packed press conference in Dubai.

“The only goal is to win the Asia Cup. We are not concerned about any external pressure,” Salman declared, making it clear that his team’s focus remains firmly on lifting the trophy.

Acknowledging the high stakes of a Pakistan-India clash, the skipper said both sides were under equal pressure.

“It’s definitely a big match, but the team that controls its mistakes will be the one to succeed. Our effort will be to minimise errors in the final,” he said.

Commenting on the recent handshake controversy, Salman expressed disappointment: “It’s not good for cricket. Pakistan and India have had strained relations in the past, but the tradition of a handshake was never abandoned. My father, a big cricket fan, always saw it as a gesture that unites the game.”

When asked about relentless criticism from the Indian media, Salman was blunt: “We don’t care what Indian media says. Our only focus is on the field and on winning the Asia Cup trophy.” On his own performance, the captain admitted there was room for improvement: “My strike rate hasn’t been up to the standard expected from a captain, but I’m working hard to get better with every match.”

He also threw his weight behind young batter Saim Ayub, calling him Pakistan’s future star: “He will be a top performer for Pakistan over the next 10 years. Batting challenges are temporary, but he’s already making a strong impact with his bowling and fielding. He’ll shine with the bat soon.”

Asked about India’s potential boycott threat, Salman responded sharply: “We are ready as per the rules of the game. If they want to attend, they can attend — but if they don’t want to, then that’s up to them.”

Ending on a passionate note, Salman said: “If a player wants to be aggressive, then why not? If you take aggression away from a fast bowler, then there’s nothing left. What happens outside the ground is not our concern.”

“Our only mission is victory, and we are determined to bring the Asia Cup trophy home to Pakistan,” he said.

The Pakistan-India final will be played tomorrow in Dubai, with the first ball scheduled at 6pm local time. Cricket fans across the region are bracing for one of the biggest showdowns in recent years.