Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan cricketers donate final match fees to victims of Indian attacks

In a powerful gesture, Pakistan cricket team announced that they will donate their entire match fees to civilians and children targeted in Indian attacks. Captain Salman Ali Agha confirmed the decision during a post-match press conference, while also criticising India’s conduct throughout the Asia Cup.

Salman said the tournament had its ups and downs but stressed that defeats were not because of any single player. “Haris Rauf did not bowl well today, this is part of the game. Our pacers were good in the opening overs, and with better finishing in batting, we could have reached 170 runs,” he noted.

The skipper praised youngster Ahsan Nawaz, calling him a “future star in white-ball cricket,” and vowed to correct shortcomings ahead of future tournaments.

However, Salman reserved his strongest words for India’s behavior during the final. “What happened today in the closing ceremony, I have never seen before. Whoever is ACC President hands over the trophy, that is the norm. What India did was wrong, not with us, but with the game itself. Not shaking hands, refusing to take the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, this is disrespecting cricket,” he said.

He warned that if such conduct continues, it could set a dangerous precedent. “What if other teams also start doing this? Cricketers are supposed to be role models. What message are we giving to kids who watch us?” Salman added.

Concluding his remarks, the Pakistani captain announced, “We are donating our match fees to the civilians and children who were martyred in the Indian attack.”