India and Pakistan players did not shake hands during their last two matches (AP Photo)

The build-up to the India vs Pakistan final at the Asia Cup 2025 took an unexpected twist when India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav skipped the traditional pre-final trophy photoshoot in Dubai. As a result, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha was photographed alone with the silverware, creating a striking image and sparking debate ahead of Sunday’s clash.Asked about the incident, Agha downplayed the development and struck a diplomatic tone on Saturday.

“They can do whatever they want, we will just follow the protocol. The rest is up to them. If they want to come, they come, and if they don’t, we can’t do anything,” he told reporters during a pre-match press interaction.Rather than focus on the controversy, Agha stressed that his team’s eyes remain firmly on the cricket. “We don’t focus on what we can’t control. Media talk, outside noise; we ignore it. Our goal is the Asia Cup. We came here to play good cricket, and tomorrow we’ll aim to win the final,” he added.The much-anticipated showdown at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 28 marks the third meeting between the arch-rivals in this tournament. India won both the previous encounters, first in the group stage and then in the Super Four, giving them a psychological edge.Looking ahead, Agha explained that Pakistan’s strategy will hinge on adapting to conditions. “I won’t reveal strategy, but as I’ve said, it depends on conditions. In the first match, the pitch turned, so we started with spin. Later, it didn’t, so we used pace. It’s always about reacting to conditions in the moment,” he said.On the pressure of facing India, he admitted: “Yes, Pakistan-India games always carry pressure. If I say otherwise, it would be wrong. But the truth is, we made more mistakes than them, which is why we lost. In these games, the team that makes fewer mistakes usually wins. Tomorrow, our goal is to reduce mistakes.”