Pakistan Captain Salman Ali Agha Addresses Tensions Ahead of Highly Anticipated Match Against India in T20 World Cup 2026

On the eve of the most anticipated fixture of the T20 World Cup 2026 , Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has addressed the simmering tensions surrounding Sunday’s (Feb 15) Group A showdown with India. While expressing hope for a match played in “good spirits,” the skipper remained cryptic regarding whether the teams will observe the traditional pre-match handshake protocol. The rivalry arrives at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka carrying heavy political and administrative baggage, following a tumultuous month that nearly saw the tournament’s marquee fixture cancelled. The “no-handshake” row dates back to the 2025 Asia Cup, where India refused the gesture in solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam attack . When asked if his side would extend a hand tomorrow, Agha told reporters, “We will find that out tomorrow,” effectively putting the ball in India’s court. "We will see about it tomorrow." – Pakistani skipper Salman Agha on shaking hands with Indian players pic.twitter.com/WQnQqzlE92 This tension follows a high-stakes standoff where the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) threatened to boycott the match. The friction stemmed from the removal of Bangladesh from the tournament after they refused to travel to India over security concerns. It took a series of intense negotiations led by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to secure a compromise and ensure the “golden goose” of cricket broadcasting proceeded as scheduled. Beyond the political optics, the elements may dictate the narrative on Sunday. A 50-70% chance of rain is forecast for Colombo, threatening to shorten the contest or force a washout. Agha confirmed that Pakistan is mentally prepared for a rain-affected game. “We cannot control the weather, but we are ready to make adjustments if the game gets shortened,” Agha noted. Despite scrutiny over his bowling action, Agha backed mystery spinner Usman Tariq as a vital asset for the slow Colombo track, noting he has already been cleared twice by the ICC. Pakistan are also monitoring the fitness of India’s Abhishek Sharma, with Agha sportingly wishing for his recovery, stating, “We want to play against the best.” Both teams enter the contest with two wins from two matches. A victory for either side tomorrow would virtually guarantee a spot in the Super 8s, while a washout would see them share points and stay atop Group A.