‘We’ll see about it tomorrow,’ Salman Agha on handshake row:Pak skipper calls Usman Tariq ‘trump card’, wants to play against Abhishek

We will see about it (handshake) tomorrow. I expect game should play in the spirit it has always been played since it’s inception. This is what Salman Ali Agha said in the press match press conference before the marquee India vs Pakistan clash in the T20 World Cup on 15th February. He said it when the Pakistan captain was asked about whether he would follow the custom of handshake at the toss. The handshake controversy erupted in the Asia Cup 2025 when India captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands after Operation Sindoor. The row followed multiple controversial on-field actions from Pakistani players like Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan, which resulted in ICC punishing them with demerit points. ‘The match should be played in good spirit’: Salman Agha Agha was questioned about the spirit of the game, separate from the atmosphere and politics of the India-Pakistan match. He said, “We want the game to be played in good spirits. The game should be played like it has been played since it started. Toss cannot decide the game. If you play good cricket, you’ll win. Cricket will matter, toss won’t.” “Past records don’t matter”: Agha reflected on the 7-1 record against India Agha acknowledged that Pakistan’s record against India in the World Cup has not been good. He said, “Past records don’t matter. It will be a new day. You cannot change history but we can try to perform well and win this time.” ‘Trust in Babar’s form’: Salman Ali Agha on Babar Azam The Pakistan captain denied concerns about Babar Azam’s form. He said, “Babar Azam is not a concern for us. He has been scoring runs. And hopefully, he’ll score runs and help us tomorrow. We don’t want to change the batting position too much.” ‘He (Usman Tariq) is our trump card’ Regarding the questions raised about mystery spinner Usman Tariq’s action, Agha said that the ICC has cleared him twice. He said, “For us, every player is equal. You guys have made Usman Tariq this big. He has been bowling well. He is our trump card. He has been cleared by the ICC earlier. I don’t know why there is talk about his action. He doesn’t care about all this talk.” Salman Agha hopes Abhishek Sharma plays There were also questions about the fitness of Indian opener Abhishek Sharma. He did not play in the last match due to stomach problems. In addition to it, on the weather questions, Salman said, “We can’t help with the weather. I hope Abhishek Sharma plays tomorrow. I hope he’s recovering well. We want to play against the best.” Did not shake hands in the Asia Cup During the Asia Cup last year, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav had said that his team would not shake hands with Pakistan. This decision was taken in honour of the Indian citizens killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack. It was also seen as a gesture of support for the Indian Army during Operation Sindoor.