Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has admitted that his decision in the final over of the Asia Cup 2025 final against India national cricket team remains his biggest captaincy regret.
Speaking on the ARY podcast, Salman Ali Agha said that handing the ball to pacer Haris Rauf instead of spinner Abrar Ahmed may have cost Pakistan the title.
“I think my biggest regret is giving over to Haris Rauf in Asia Cup Final. If I had continued with Abrar, the result of the game might have been completely different,” Agha said.
He also acknowledged that there may have been other mistakes during the match, but the final over decision remains the most significant.
The Asia Cup 2025 final between Pakistan and India was played on September 28 at the Dubai International Stadium, where Pakistan posted 146 runs after batting first.
Although the total appeared below par against a strong Indian side, Pakistan’s bowlers managed to keep the contest alive and take the match down to the final over.
Heading into the last over, India needed 10 runs off six balls. At that point, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha had two options, continue with Abrar Ahmed or trust Haris Rauf.
Abrar Ahmed had been one of Pakistan’s most effective bowlers in the match, with figures of 1 for 29 at an economy rate of 7.25, however, he had already completed his quota and could not bowl again.
With limited options available, Agha turned to Rauf, who was considered the team’s frontline fast bowler and a key figure in pressure situations. The decision, however, did not go in Pakistan’s favor.
In the final over, Tilak Varma struck a crucial six off Rauf to ease the pressure, before Rinku Singh sealed the chase with a boundary. India completed the win with two balls remaining.
Haris Rauf ended the match with expensive figures, conceding 50 runs in 3.4 overs at an economy rate of 13.6.
Reflecting on the moment, Agha said the decision was based on trusting his main bowler to deliver under pressure, but admitted it did not go as planned.
“I gave Haris the over because he was our main bowler in that match, but he couldn’t execute well. If I had continued with Abrar, the result could have been different,” he said.
The Asia Cup 2025 final continues to be viewed as a defining moment, with Agha’s decision widely discussed as a key turning point in Pakistan’s narrow defeat.