Pakistan Faces Injury Worry Ahead of Asia Cup 2025
As Pakistan gears up for the Asia Cup 2025, they faced a slight injury scare when captain Salman Agha missed a significant portion of Wednesday’s practice at the ICC Academy in Dubai. Salman, who is set to lead Pakistan against Oman on Friday, September 12, was seen with a bandage around his neck after experiencing a mild spasm.
According to reports, Salman chose to skip warm-ups and light football drills while the rest of the team completed their training. His limited participation raised concerns within the team, especially with the high-stakes match against India approaching on Sunday.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) attempted to ease fears, describing the injury as minor and precautionary. They are hopeful that Salman will be back in full training soon and ready to lead his team during this critical tournament.
A New Era for Pakistan Cricket
Under the guidance of coach Mike Hesson, Pakistan is undergoing a transformation, having parted ways with former stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan after the South Africa series in 2024. Salman now takes the helm after a challenging 18 months. The team feels optimistic as they prepare to face India, UAE, and Oman in the group stages of the Asia Cup, marking their first major tournament without the seasoned duo.
In a press conference on September 9, Salman expressed confidence in his team’s performance. “I think we are playing good cricket, and we started that a few months ago. Everything is coming together, and we’re excited for this tournament,” he said.
When asked about India being favored for the title, Salman remarked that in T20 cricket, any team can turn the game around in just a couple of overs. He noted, “No one is a favorite in a T20 game. A match can change in just one or two overs. The tri-series was a great preparation for the Asia Cup, and our goal is to win.”
Pakistan heads into the Asia Cup with momentum from a recent tri-series victory in the UAE, where they defeated Afghanistan by 75 runs in the final at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
