Pakistan's Captain Defends Haris Rauf's Aggressive Play Ahead of Asia Cup Final

Pakistan's Skipper Supports Rauf's On-Field Aggression

Dubai [UAE], September 27: As India prepares to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, Pakistan's captain Salman Agha has come forward to defend pacer Haris Rauf's aggressive demeanor amidst recent controversies surrounding his actions during the Super Four match. Agha emphasized that a fast bowler's aggression is essential, stating that without it, there is 'nothing left' of their game. He has granted players the freedom to express their emotions on the field, provided they do not disrespect anyone or their nation.

This final marks a historic moment as it is the first time in 41 years of the Asia Cup that India and Pakistan will compete for the title. The match has garnered significant attention due to various off-field incidents and the ongoing political tensions between the two countries. Notable events include the 'handshake controversy,' Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav's tribute to the Indian Armed Forces, and provocative gestures from players like Sahibzada Farhan and Rauf during their previous encounter.

Farhan initiated the provocations with a gun-fire celebration after scoring fifty, while Rauf faced backlash for his aggressive response after taking the wicket of Sanju Samson. His reaction to jeers from Indian fans, where he gestured '0-6'—a reference to Pakistan's unfounded claims of downing Indian jets—went viral on social media, drawing criticism from many Indian supporters.

During the match, Rauf was also taunted by fans chanting 'Virat Kohli,' recalling the legendary batsman's two sixes against him during the T20 World Cup 2022, one of which was dubbed the 'Shot of the Century' by the ICC.

Following a complaint from the BCCI regarding the players' gestures, the ICC imposed a fine of 30% of Rauf's match fee for using 'abusive language,' while Sahibzada received a warning.

In a pre-match press conference, Agha reiterated his support for Rauf's aggressive style, stating that every player has their own way of managing emotions. He believes that aggression is a vital part of a fast bowler's identity and that players should be allowed to express themselves on the field.

Addressing the lack of handshakes between the teams, Agha expressed surprise, noting that he had never witnessed such behavior in his career. He recalled how his father had always mentioned the importance of handshakes in cricket.

He remarked, 'I have been playing cricket since 2007 and have never seen a situation where teams did not shake hands. Even during more intense matches, handshakes were customary. The absence of handshakes is not beneficial for cricket.'

Agha concluded by stating that the team is focused on their performance and not on external opinions. 'We are here to play good cricket and aim to win the Asia Cup,' he affirmed.

Squads:

India Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Jitesh Sharma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube

Pakistan Squad: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha(c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Hasan Nawaz, Sufiyan Muqeem.