Asia Cup 2025: Ex-Captains Mohammad Hafeez and Sohaib Maqsood Criticize Salman Ali Agha’s Captaincy After Pakistan’s Defeat

Dubai: Pakistan’s disappointing bowling performance in the **Asia Cup T20 2025 final** against India drew sharp criticism from former cricketers Mohammad Hafeez and Sohaib Maqsood, who singled out skipper **Salman Ali Agha’s captaincy decisions**.

Taking to social media platform X, Mohammad Hafeez questioned the team’s bowling strategy, saying: *“Captain, you yourself are an off-spinner.”* His remarks implied that Salman Ali Agha should have taken more responsibility during crucial overs.

Former batter Sohaib Maqsood was even more direct in his criticism. In one post, he wrote that instead of relying on Haris Rauf at a critical stage, **the captain should have bowled himself**. In another, Maqsood argued that Salman Ali Agha should have bowled the 15th over and handed the 16th to Saim Ayub, calling the choices a reflection of **poor leadership under pressure**.

He further added: *“If Salman Ali Agha cannot step up to bowl in tough moments, then he deserves to lose.”*

In the much-anticipated final — the first-ever Pakistan-India Asia Cup final in the tournament’s **41-year history** — India defeated Pakistan by **five wickets**, chasing down the 147-run target in the last over at the Dubai International Stadium. Pakistan had earlier been bowled out for 146 in 19.1 overs after India won the toss and opted to field.