Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha expressed his doubts over a controversial dismissal during the marquee Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash against India in Dubai on September 21. Fakhar Zaman was given out caught behind by India wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, a decision that sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.
“I know umpires can make mistakes, but it looked like the ball bounced ahead of the keeper before going into his gloves,” Salman Ali Agha said at the post-match press conference. “I could be wrong, but at the same time, the umpires make the call. Fakhar was set to score big—if he had batted through the powerplay, we might have scored 190.”
The dismissal came off Hardik Pandya’s ninth delivery, which gripped off the pitch after he rolled his fingers across the ball. Samson had to lunge forward to complete the catch, which was reviewed twice by TV umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge before being ruled clean.
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Despite Fakhar’s early departure in the third over, Pakistan’s innings remained competitive. Sahibzada Farhan kept the scoreboard ticking with a rapid 34-ball half-century, while Saim Ayub provided steady support. Pakistan raced to 55 in the powerplay and 91 by the 10-over mark, marking their highest totals in those phases against India.
Farhan and Ayub added 72 for the second wicket before Shivam Dube struck to remove Ayub in the 11th over. Pakistan slipped to 115/4, but Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Ali Agha steadied the innings with a 34-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
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Nawaz was eventually run out by India captain Suryakumar Yadav, leaving Pakistan to post 171 in their allotted 20 overs—a competitive total, but one they would have hoped to surpass had Zaman’s dismissal gone the other way. The incident highlighted the fine margins that often decide India-Pakistan clashes, where umpiring decisions and moments of brilliance can dramatically shift momentum.
