Asia Cup 2025: Salman Agha throws runners-up cheque in front of Mohsin Naqvi during post-match ceremony

Published - 29 Sept 2025, 13:48 IST | Updated - 29 Sept 2025, 13:48 IST

Salman Ali Agha was visibly frustrated with how things panned out for Pakistan in the final of Asia Cup 2025 against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. All three of Pakistan's defeats in Asia Cup 2025 came against India.

His frustration was on full display even while receiving the USD 75,000 runners-up cheque from the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Upon receiving the representative cheque, he flung it to the ground before walking towards the broadcaster for a brief chat.

Agha later expressed his disappointment on his misfiring batting department, especially when it was required to perform the most. However, he commented that he was happy with the efforts put in by the bowlers and mentioned that he remains optimistic on the future of the team.

"It is a tough one to swallow. We couldn't finish nicely with the bat. Bowling, we were outstanding but if we could have finished well, it would have been a different story. We need to sort out our batting. Our bowling was superb, but our batting is a concern. I am proud of my team, we as a unit are very proud and we have a lot to look forward to," stated Agha during the post-match presentation.

On being sent in to bat first, Pakistan had got off to a stellar start. However, they were eventually bundled out for 146 in 19.1 overs with the opposition spinners claiming eight wickets. Other than the top three batters, no one else could register a double-digit score, with Sahibzada Farhan (57 off 38) was the top-scorer of the side.

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All the Pakistan bowlers, barring Haris Rauf (0/50 in 3.4 overs), did considerably well with the ball. Faheem Ashraf (3/29 in 4 overs) was the most impressive while Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed were amongst the wickets too.