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Pakistan warns India against politicising Asia Cup clash | The Express Tribune
DUBAI:
Ahead of Sunday’s Asia Cup Super Four clash, Pakistan has warned that India should not once again turn the cricket field into a political battleground.
The match should be played in the spirit of cricket.
“We are not eager to shake hands with Indian cricketers, but prior intimation should be given,” PCB sources stated.
Team management has instructed the players to stay away from off-the-field matters, focus solely on their game, and defeat India. Meanwhile, match officials have not yet been appointed, but Richie Richardson remains an option to serve as referee.
On the other hand, captain Salman Ali Agha said that Pakistan is ready to face every challenge, including India.
“We need to improve our middle-order batting. Shaheen Afridi’s batting has improved a lot,” he added.
According to details, following a tense opening encounter, Pakistan and India are set to meet again in the Asia Cup on Sunday at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. In the previous match, the Blue Shirts may have secured victory but completely disregarded sportsmanship spirit.
At the toss, their captain refused to shake hands with his counterpart, and at the conclusion, the Indian team avoided handshakes with Pakistani players. Suryakumar Yadav also made political remarks during his interview.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a complaint with the ICC against the controversial behavior of match referee Andy Pycroft, demanding his replacement and even threatening a boycott otherwise. Due to this dispute, the Pakistan-UAE match was in jeopardy but eventually commenced an hour late after the referee’s apology and ICC’s assurance of an inquiry.
Now, before the Super Four clash of the arch-rivals in Dubai, concerns have again emerged that India might once more use the occasion for its political agenda. Sources revealed that the PCB has also spoken to the ICC about ensuring that match officials are clearly instructed in advance, emphasizing that political elements should not be allowed to enter the game.
“We are not eager to shake hands with Indian cricketers, but there should be prior clarity on this matter,” the sources added. Reportedly, match officials for the Super Four have not yet been finalized. Alongside Andy Pycroft, Richie Richardson is also available, and assigning him as referee for the Pakistan-India match remains an option.
Meanwhile, the team management has reiterated its advice to the players: stay away from off-field issues, concentrate on your game, and beat India.
Captain Salman Ali Agha, speaking after the win against UAE, said: “We are prepared for every challenge, including India, in the Super Four stage. We need to improve our middle-order batting, which is a concern and requires hard work. Apart from that, we fulfilled our responsibility well. We have yet to showcase our best batting; so far we’ve only managed around 150 runs. If we bat well in the middle overs, we can post 170 runs against any opponent.
“Shaheen Afridi’s batting has improved greatly; in bowling, he already performs brilliantly. Saim has brought us back into games several times with his bowling, and I hope he continues to do so till the end. If we keep playing the way we have over the past four months, we can prove to be a tough opponent for any team,” Salman concluded.
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Paul Scholes and Jack Grealish led the praise for Pedri on Thursday after the midfielder helped Barcelona kick off their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win against Newcastle United.
Marcus Rashford took the headlines with a stunning brace on his return to England, but Pedri also dazzled in the middle of the park alongside Frenkie de Jong.
“My new favourite footballer,” former Manchester United midfielder Scholes posted on Instagram alongside a photo of the Spain international.
Grealish, on loan at Everton from Manchester City, said on his stories: “Pedri and De Jong are a joy to watch.”
Pedri struggled with injuries earlier in his career, but the 22-year-old has remained fit and has excelled in a deeper midfield role since Hansi Flick took charge in the summer of 2024.
As Barça clocked up 63.8% possession at St James’ Park, he had more touches (113) and attempted more passes (93 with a 91.4% completion rate) than any other player on the pitch.
His influence on the game was especially noticeable in the seven minutes of stoppage time when he took control of the ball and killed the game after Anthony Gordon had pulled a goal back for Newcastle.
Gordon felt the way Barça handled the ball, led by Pedri, was the better than anything he has previously encountered in the Premier League.
“I think the way they keep the ball was a learning experience,” he told beIN. “We don’t play against that kind of style in England, not at that level anyway.
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“I thought they were the best I’ve played against in that sense of the game. Some of that play in midfield was really top.
“We’ve played against some top teams. [Manchester] City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, but the way they pass the ball, the midfielders, the way they were fluid in their movement and combining, made it really hard for us to press — and it’s not easy coming here and doing that.
“We press with intensity, we’re very physical, but to be fair to them, they did really well.”
Pedri made 59 appearances last season as Barça won LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercopa, while they came up short in the Champions League, losing to Inter Milan in the semifinal.
He has featured in all five of Barça’s fixtures this season as they remain unbeaten through four league games and their Champions League opener.
The Asia Cup T20 fixture between India and Oman saw a light-hearted moment at the toss when both captains forgot to announce the names of players who had been replaced in their sides.
India made two changes to their line-up, resting Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav managed to recall only one replacement and forgot the other, saying: ” Harshit comes in, there is one more guy. Oh my god!”
Later, joking with presenter Ravi Shastri that his memory had become like former skipper Rohit Sharma’s, who is known for forgetting things. He laughed, saying: “I have become like Rohit.”
It was later confirmed that Arshdeep Singh and Harshit were included in the Playing XI against Oman.
Suryakumar initially failed to recall Arshdeep’s name at the toss. Following the coin flip, Suryakumar and Oman’s captain Jatinder shared a laugh, shook hands, and embraced each other.
Oman also made two changes, including Mohammed Nadeem in their playing XI. With India already through to the Super Four stage, the contest against Oman was effectively a dead rubber.
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