🌍 Pakistan Through, But Questions Remain
Pakistan’s 41-run victory against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the group stage of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 secured their passage into the Super Four. The relief among fans was palpable, but what followed sparked an unexpected cricket debate.
Captain Salman Ali Agha, in his post-match presentation, admitted Pakistan must fix their batting, especially in the middle overs. But just a day later, former captain Misbah-ul-Haq publicly disagreed, saying the problem starts “much earlier” – in the opening overs.
This difference of opinion has fueled headlines, creating a pre-India clash narrative that mixes confidence, concern, and controversy.
🏏 The Match That Triggered the Debate – Pakistan vs UAE
Before diving into Misbah vs Agha, let’s revisit the UAE clash.
- Pakistan batted first and reached 146/9 in 20 overs.
- Fakhar Zaman played a fluent knock, scoring a half-century.
- After his dismissal in the 14th over, Pakistan collapsed to 110/7 by the 17th over.
- Enter Shaheen Shah Afridi, who smashed an unbeaten 29 off 14 balls, lifting the total with three fours and two sixes.
Pakistan’s bowlers then dismantled UAE’s chase, securing a comfortable 41-run win. But the batting frailties were again exposed.
💬 Agha Salman’s Post-Match Assessment
Key remarks from Agha Salman:
- “We need to improve our batting in the middle order. That’s been a concern.”
- “We haven’t batted at our best yet… still just finding our way to 150. If we bat well in the middle overs, we can push it to 170 no matter the opposition.”
This was a measured but optimistic statement. Agha admitted flaws but projected confidence that Pakistan could fix them ahead of tougher games.
😲 Misbah-ul-Haq’s Surprising Counter
Speaking on a sports platform, Misbah-ul-Haq openly disagreed with Agha’s analysis:
- “It was surprising that Agha said we need to improve in the middle overs, whereas our problem starts right from the beginning.”
- “Almost every time, we lose our first two batters, so our innings basically starts already two down.”
- “Once spinners come on and the field spreads, it becomes tougher. If you’re already 0–2, you’re going nowhere.”
Misbah’s blunt assessment shifts the debate from middle-order collapses to top-order failures.
📊 Pakistan’s Batting – Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s analyze the data from Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 group stage:
- Opening Overs (1–6): Pakistan lost an average of 2 wickets inside the Powerplay.
- Middle Overs (7–15): Scored at just 6.1 runs per over, losing 8 wickets.
- Death Overs (16–20): Saved by cameos from lower-order hitters like Shaheen Afridi.
Both Agha and Misbah have a point:
- Agha is right about sluggish middle-over scoring.
- Misbah is right that frequent Powerplay failures put pressure on the middle order.
🔥 Pakistan’s Top-Order Woes
Pakistan’s famed batting lineup hasn’t fired in unison:
- Saim Ayub – struggling for runs, dismissed early in multiple games.
- Babar Azam – not at his fluent best, burdened by expectations.
- Fakhar Zaman – the lone consistent performer with attacking intent.
Losing two wickets inside the first six overs has forced the middle order into survival mode rather than acceleration.
⚡ Middle-Order Under the Spotlight
Once the Powerplay ends, Pakistan faces another hurdle:
- Lack of strike rotation against spinners.
- Pressure building due to dot balls.
- Risky shots leading to wickets in clusters.
This is exactly what happened against UAE – from a strong start to 110/7 in the 17th over.
🌟 The Shaheen Shah Afridi Factor
One of the brightest positives has been Shaheen Afridi’s batting cameo. His 29* off 14 wasn’t just about runs – it showed resilience and a fighting mindset.
Stats highlight his improvement:
- In the last year, Shaheen’s strike rate at the death overs is 170+.
- He has rescued Pakistan multiple times when the top and middle order collapsed.
Agha praised him for being a complete all-rounder, but Misbah’s remarks suggest Pakistan shouldn’t rely on their tail to bail them out every time.
🏆 India vs Pakistan – Super Four Clash Looms
With the India-Pakistan Super Four encounter scheduled next, this batting debate becomes even more crucial.
- India’s bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and spin duo Kuldeep Yadav & Axar Patel, thrives on exploiting early wickets and choking middle overs.
- Pakistan cannot afford another slow Powerplay or middle-order collapse.
The team needs:
- A stable opening stand – Babar and Saim must step up.
- Calculated middle-overs approach – using sweeps, strike rotation, and avoiding dot-ball pressure.
- Support for finishers – Shaheen and Shadab should be used as impact hitters, not crisis managers.
📣 Cricketory Insights & Analysis
At Cricketory, we see Misbah vs Agha as two sides of the same coin:
- Agha Salman’s View (Middle Overs): He’s focusing on where Pakistan visibly loses momentum. His statement aims to keep confidence high while admitting areas of improvement.
- Misbah-ul-Haq’s View (Top Order): He’s highlighting the root cause. Without solid foundations, the middle order is bound to struggle.
👉 The truth lies in the balance: Pakistan must fix BOTH Powerplay failures and middle-over collapses to challenge for the Asia Cup 2025 title.
With India next, this isn’t just a tactical debate – it’s a battle for survival.
❓ FAQs
Q1: What did Agha Salman say after Pakistan’s win over UAE?
A: He admitted Pakistan must improve in the middle overs but expressed confidence the team can score 170+ if they bat better.Q2: Why did Misbah-ul-Haq disagree with Agha Salman?
A: Misbah said Pakistan’s batting struggles start right at the top, with frequent early wickets, not just in the middle overs.Q3: Who performed best for Pakistan against UAE?
A: Fakhar Zaman’s fifty and Shaheen Afridi’s late cameo were crucial in Pakistan’s 41-run win.Q4: What is Pakistan’s biggest concern ahead of the India clash?
A: Their inconsistent batting – early collapses, slow middle-overs scoring, and over-reliance on lower-order hitters.Q5: Can Pakistan fix their batting in time for India?
A: Yes, but it requires the top order (Babar, Saim, Fakhar) to play responsibly and the middle order to rotate strike effectively.📝 Final Thoughts
Pakistan may have marched into the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four, but the debate between Agha Salman’s optimism and Misbah-ul-Haq’s blunt reality check highlights a bigger truth—Pakistan’s batting is still a work in progress. The top order needs stability, the middle overs demand smarter strike rotation, and the team cannot keep relying on Shaheen Afridi’s cameos to rescue them.
As the high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash approaches, the Green Shirts must resolve these issues quickly. If they find the right balance between aggression and responsibility, Pakistan has the firepower to challenge any side and go deep into the tournament. Otherwise, the same old batting woes could haunt them when it matters most.