Pakistan captain Salman Agha has made it clear that any potential knockout match against India in the T20 World Cup will depend on guidance from their government. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he explained that the team will follow official advice if they progress far enough to face their long-time rivals later in the tournament.
Pakistan Captain, Salman Agha Reacts To Possible India Showdown in T20 World Cup 2026
The competition has already been surrounded by political drama. Bangladesh was removed from the event after refusing to travel to India due to security concerns. Pakistan also declined to play against co-hosts India during their Group A fixture, which added further tension to the build up.
Even with these challenges, a meeting between India and Pakistan is still possible in the semifinals or the final if both teams make it through.
“The India game is not in our control. It was the government’s decision and if we have to play them in the semi-final or the final, we will go back to them and act on their advice,” Salman Agha told reporters in Colombo.
Bangladesh Exit and Pakistan’s Support
Bangladesh’s absence has been one of the biggest talking points ahead of the tournament. After expressing concerns about playing in India, they were removed from Group C by the International Cricket Council and replaced by Scotland.
Pakistan publicly supported Bangladesh’s request to have their matches moved to Sri Lanka. While the Islamabad government allowed Pakistan to compete in the tournament, they instructed the team to skip the high-profile group stage clash against India on February 15.
“It’s sad Bangladesh are not here. They have a very good side. Hopefully they will support us,” Agha said.
Limited Encounters Between Rivals
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series for more than ten years, meeting only during major international tournaments. In the group stage, Pakistan will instead face Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States as they try to secure a place in the next round.
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“We’re excited to play in this tournament. We lost to USA in the last World Cup and we are determined to put that disappointment behind us and put a few things right,” Salman Agha said.
Pressure Builds in a Tight Group
Because Pakistan forfeited their match against India, they will lose two valuable points and also suffer a significant drop in net run rate. This puts extra pressure on the team, as even one rain-affected game could make qualification more difficult.
“We know the margin for error is small, but we can’t control the weather. We are here to play good cricket and we’re not bothered about the conditions,” Salman Agha said.
Strong Form Heading Into the Tournament
Pakistan arrived at the World Cup with strong momentum after securing a 3 0 series win over Australia at home. Their recent performances have boosted confidence within the squad, and the team believes they are well prepared for the competition ahead.
“We’ve been playing really good cricket. We haven’t lost a series since the Asia Cup last year. Everything is coming along nicely, and we’re confident of doing well,” Salman Agha said.
Comfort and Confidence Playing in Sri Lanka
All of Pakistan’s matches will take place in Sri Lanka, a location the team knows well after touring there earlier in the year. Familiar conditions and strong local support are expected to work in their favor.
“Very happy to play in Sri Lanka – it’s a second home for me. This is my sixth visit, we know the conditions and we get a lot of support,” Salman Agha said.
