In a pre-match press conference before the much-anticipated match between India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Pakistan's captain, Salman Ali Agha, spoke about the importance of playing cricket in the spirit of the game. He expressed that whether a handshake occurs before the toss or after the match is a decision that should be made by the Indian team. Agha emphasized that personal opinions are secondary and the focus should be on maintaining the essence of cricket. This comment might be seen as preemptively accepting pressure before facing a historically strong rival.

Agha also addressed questions regarding his team's mystery spinner, Usman Tariq, mentioning that the media has exaggerated his significance within the team. He clarified that while Tariq is a talented bowler and could be considered a crucial element ('trump card'), all players in the squad are equally important, suggesting a unified team spirit. This stance could help reduce the pressure on Tariq, allowing him to play without the burden of expectations.

This interaction not only sets the tone for the match but also highlights the psychological strategies both teams may employ. By calling for sportsmanship and downplaying individual roles, Agha appears to be steering his team towards a collective mindset, focusing on teamwork over individual displays, which is critical in high-stakes games like this rivalry.