Asia Cup: After loss against India, Pak skipper Salman Agha concedes ground to Suryakumar Yadav, scores worst self goal

Indian and Pakistani players standing for their national anthems before the start of the Asia Cup T20 match at the Dubai International Stadium on September 14. (Courtesy: AFP photo)

Salman Ali Agha has not said a word since the defeat. In fact, it is very surprising to see the Pakistan captain staying totally silent. Normally the skipper speaks to either the host broadcaster or the reporters who are covering the event. In this case none of it has happened so far. And the silence, may I say, has cost Pakistan dear. It has led to a self goal with Agha losing the opportunity to counter Surya Kumar Yadav who has stolen the thunder with his post match interview. Sending Mike Hesson instead, a Kiwi with little or no understanding of the ground reality, was a cultural disaster of sorts and Pakistan must be ruing their chance of failing to stand up to the situation.

Surya was brilliant in highlighting the Indian stand and all Agha needed to do was come and counter the Indian captain. Add to the handshake issue and be heard. He too would have got an audience. At least his own media would have reported his point of view and taken the issue forward. Instead what they got was total silence from the captain. What he did was certainly not befitting of a skipper. By staying away who did he help? If he had to stay away then why did Shaheen turn up to accept the award? Isn’t that a case of double standards? What message was given out? That Pakistan had no clarity and hence a player turned up at the presentation while the captain decided to stay away?

The truth is Pakistan has lost the encounter both on and off the field. On the field was a mauling with India the much superior side. Off the field, India played the diplomatic card to perfection and Surya won a million hearts by saying what he did and has become a hero. Pakistan on the other hand did not even stand up to counter. By staying away, Agha conceded the ground to Surya and scored the worst form of self goal possible.

So far there is no update from the ICC on Andy Pycroft. He is a very senior referee and has been around for years. So will Pakistan pull out and give a walkover to the UAE? If they do so, they are out of the Asia cup and it is all over for them. With Mohsin Naqvi the ACC chair this will spell disaster for Pakistan cricket. Not only will they invite litigation, they will become a laughing stock in front of the cricket world. What purpose will their walkover serve? Who will they be hurting by doing so? Will they want to lose the opportunity of avenging the defeat against India?

So far Pakistan has been in self destructive mode on and off the field. Salman Ali staying away to issuing the walkover threat, none of these calls make any sense. And time clearly is running out for them. If they play the UAE with Pycroft still there, it will open them up for questions and many will take pot shots. On the other if they do withdraw, it will be bizarre for Naqvi as chairman of the ACC. It is a peculiar catch 22 and Pakistan are themselves to blame for the mess they find themselves in.