Pakistan are gearing up for an exciting tri-series against Afghanistan and the UAE, beginning on Friday, August 29, at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The series is seen as a crucial build-up to the 2025 Asia Cup, which kicks off on September 9. With senior players rested, Salman Ali Agha will lead the Men in Green as they look to regain confidence after a turbulent run in recent ICC events.
Ahead of the opener against Afghanistan, Agha addressed the media alongside Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan and UAE captain Muhammad Waseem. During the press interaction, a reporter directed a question at Rashid Khan, labelling Afghanistan as Asia’s “second-best team” following their remarkable run in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they stormed into the semi-finals.
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The remark seemed to catch Agha off guard, with his expression momentarily shifting into a smirk—an instance that fans quickly picked up and circulated across social media platforms with zoomed-in images of his reaction. Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Agha’s reaction when a journalist in PC called Afghanistan the second best team
in Asia 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/vKd4jQImNn— 𝐀. (@was_abdd) August 28, 2025
In the 2023 ODI World Cup, they matched Pakistan on points and famously outplayed them in a commanding win in Chennai. Their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign further elevated their reputation as they toppled heavyweights New Zealand and Australia before making the semi-finals. In contrast, Pakistan endured a forgettable tournament, crashing out in the group stage after defeats to India and debutants USA.
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Earlier this year, Afghanistan made their Champions Trophy debut, registering a memorable victory against England before bowing out in a tough group. Pakistan, meanwhile, ended that tournament without a single win, raising further questions about their consistency. With the tri-series potentially pitting Pakistan and Afghanistan against each other three times in the coming days, cricket fans are eager to see whether Agha’s men can silence critics or if Rashid Khan’s spirited unit will extend their dominance.
