Captain also expresses disappointment over Bangladesh\u2019s absence from T20 World Cup
\n COLOMBO
\nCaptain Salman Ali Agha said the team Pakistan will seek advice from their government if they reach the knockout phase of the upcoming ICC Men\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026 and meet arch-rival India.
\nThe tournament has been marred by an acrimonious political buildup after Bangladesh were kicked out, and Pakistan refused to face co-hosts India in their Group A match.
\nHowever, a semi-final or final showdown between the arch-rivals is still a possibility.
\n\u201cThe India game is not in our control. It was the government\u2019s 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,\u201d Agha told reportersat the captains\u2019 press conference in Colombo on Thursday.
\nAgha said the team aims to play positive cricket throughout the tournament and is not focusing on factors beyond its control.
\nHis remarks followed the government\u2019s decision to boycott the mega event\u2019s match against India scheduled for February 15.
\nPakistan had decided to boycott the February 15 match against arch-rivals India to show solidarity with Bangladesh, which the International Cricket Council (ICC) kicked out of the tournament after rejecting Bangladesh Cricket Board\u2019s (BCB) request to move their matches to a venue outside India.
\nThe Pakistani captain also expressed disappointment over Bangladesh\u2019s absence from the World Cup and said, \u201cIt is unfortunate that the Bangladesh team is not playing in the World Cup.\u201d
\n\u201cIt\u2019s sad Bangladesh are not here. They have a very good side. Hopefully they will support us,\u201d Agha said.
\nHe expressed excitement about leading Pakistan in his first World Cup as captain, hoping the team would deliver strong performances under his leadership.
\nHe added that the team has been playing good cricket over the past six months and has shown positive momentum since the Asia Cup.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve been playing really good cricket. We haven\u00b4t lost a series since the Asia Cup last year. Everything is coming along nicely and we\u00b4re confident of doing well,\u201d Agha said.
\nAgha said that no team can be taken lightly in a World Cup and noted that Pakistan is preparing seriously for its upcoming match against the Netherlands.
\nHe also praised Sri Lanka\u2019s hospitality, calling it his \u201csecond home\u201d and appreciating the warmth of its people.
\nPakistan will formally kick off their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo, which will also host their group-stage matches against the United States on February 10 and Namibia on February 18.
\nThe Green Shirts were scheduled to face arch-rivals India at the R Premadasa Stadium on February 15.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Captain also expresses disappointment over Bangladesh\u2019s absence from T20 World Cup COLOMBO Captain Salman Ali Agha said the team Pakistan will seek advice from their government if they reach the knockout phase of the upcoming ICC Men\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026 and meet arch-rival India. The tournament has been marred by an acrimonious political buildup […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":529784,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-529762","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n