Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan face injury scare before clash versus Oman, Is Salman Agha unfit?

Published - 11 Sept 2025, 18:06 IST | Updated - 11 Sept 2025, 18:32 IST

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha sustained a mild neck spasm during training ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. The team management, however, remains confident he will be fit to lead in the impending high-stakes matches.

Agha missed a significant part of the training session on Wednesday, September 10, at the ICC Academy in Dubai. The all-rounder was seen sporting a bandage on his neck after complaining of pain in his neck.

According to reports on Geo News, although he travelled with the squad, Agha skipped the warm-ups and light football drills, while the rest of the players went through a complete fitness routine. His limited participation gave rise to concerns in the camp, especially with the highly-anticipated clash against India on Sunday approaching.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), however, played down the concerns, asserting that the issue is minor and precautionary in nature. The 31-year-old is expected to resume full-fledged training shortly, and the team management remains hopeful that he will be fit to lead Pakistan in the crucial Asia Cup 2025 fixtures ahead.

The Lahore-born has played 21 Tests, 41 ODIs, and 25 T20Is so far. In the shortest format, he has scored 489 runs at an average of 27.17 and a strike rate of 116.43. With the ball, he has picked up four wickets at a decent economy rate of 7.50.

Pakistan are placed in Group A, alongside India, Oman, and the UAE. The Men in Green will begin their Asia Cup campaign on Friday, September 12, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, when they face Oman. This will be the first meeting between the two sides in T20I cricket.

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Pakistan are in a rebuilding phase, with Mike Hesson taking charge as the head coach. Agha has been appointed as the T20 captain, taking over the reins from Mohammad Rizwan.

"I think we are playing good cricket, we started that a few months ago. Things are coming together, as a team we are playing good cricket and looking forward to this tournament, and everyone is very excited," Salman said in the pre-series press conference on Tuesday, September 9.