Pakistan’s Jersey Controversy and Batting Concerns Ahead of India Clash

At times when successful players are under scrutiny in public, the other events connecting the professional esteem are also given equal attention. The former Pakistani cricketer Atiq-uz-Zaman posted on social media recently about the PCB’s shameful quality of team kits in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. His words jolted the cricket fans and revived the Pakistan Jersey Controversy regarding the perennially unresolved aspect of accountability in the Pakistani cricket administration.

Salman Ali Agha, meanwhile, the skipper, mentioned that there were a lot of areas that his side needed to work on, especially regarding batting, before their much-anticipated Super Four fixture against archrivals India on September 21. Starexchange brings you the story with the latest cricket updates and Match Insights from this tournament. 

 

Atiq-uz-Zaman with Strong Words on Jersey Quality

Atiq-uz-Zaman, a former keeper-batter of Pakistan, was very harsh in his statements on X (ockbat). He said team jerseys were so poorly made that their players were sweating throughout the game while the other teams enjoyed dry-fit attire. 

According to him, it was not a poor planning issue but rather evidence of partiality and wrong decision-making in awarding the contract for the manufacturer. He charged the PCB with awarding the tenders to “friends” instead of licensing them to professionally competent firms, calling the situation one of “corruption dripping more than the sweat.” 

His strong comments reflect the constantly rising frustration among ex-players and the fanbase, who mostly believe that off-field mismanagement in Pakistan still hurts its image globally.

 

Pakistan Secure Super Four Spot – But Worries Remain

Pakistan’s Jersey Controversy is the point of matter of discussion now in Pakistan. However, they won by 41 runs against the UAE and got a place in the Super Four. While it looks comfortable, again, the performance has raised questions over the batting stability in the team.

Pakistan posted 146/9 and owed a quick cameo by Shaheen Shah Afridi, scoring an unbeaten 29 from just 14 deliveries, to restore some respectability to the innings. Pakistan’s top and middle order crumbled again under pressure before Afridi’s late surge. 

Saim Ayub has had a tournament to forget, failing to open his account in three straight matches.

Skipper Salman Ali Agha himself has been unable to stamp authority in the crucial middle overs.

This persistent failure to address issues between overs 7 and 15 has crippled the team in putting competitive totals.

These recurrent flaws were not lost on the captain himself. After the win over the UAE, Agha conceded his side had not yet played to its batting potential.

 

Salman Ali Agha’s Honest Assessment

Agha commended his bowlers for their consistent ability to keep Pakistan in the games. He mentioned the exceptional performances of Abrar Ahmed and called Shaheen Afridi an authentic match-winner who has improved his batting as well.

He was still very direct in the fact that batting continues to be Pakistan’s Achilles’ heel: “We got the job done, but we needed to do better in the middle overs,” he said. Agha spoke about fixing those middle-overs issues on the high-pressure encounter with India: “Had we batted properly, we would have reached 170-180. That’s the benchmark we should have set for ourselves.” “We are ready for any challenge. If we play good cricket, we can compete against any side,” he added.

 

Why Middle Overs Have Put Pakistan in Trouble

In T20 cricket, the real game can often be won or lost in the overs between the end of the powerplay and the final power surge. Most teams that have failed to rotate the strike or find boundaries in this phase rarely reach even medium scores. 

Pakistan finds itself caught in a rather vicious circle due to this pattern: It is safe to say that they have frittered away all of their early starts; they haven’t been able to build partnerships and apply pressure by the time the death overs come around. When all else fails, they have sometimes been rescued by Shaheen’s big hitting late in the innings. The bowling attack saving batting collapses may not be the way to go for a long time ahead.

Pakistan knows that it will have to address this matter and not allow overs 7 to 15 to go by in silence against India. Every run will matter against one of the finest bowling units in the world.

 

Key Insights About the Match Prior to the India Clash

Here are some real takeaways for Pakistan as they gear up for the Super Four Test against India: 

Batting depth under scrutiny: Results from the top and middle-order batsmen have not been forthcoming, and this needs serious discussion. What is needed is a strong start followed by consolidation through the middle overs. 

Shaheen Afridi’s dual role: His runs lower down the order have been a bonus, but he will have to shoulder the brunt of leading the attack against India’s formidable batting.

Abrar Ahmed’s rise: The spinner has stood out for Pakistan in the tournament, providing breakthroughs when it mattered. His role would be to tighten the screws on India’s middle order. 

Team spirit under pressure: While off-field controversies like the jersey issue deserve some focus, it is imperative that the players remain resolute in pursuit of their task.

 

Starexchange Cricket Updates

Asia Cup 2025 is getting more and more controversial day by day, and this time, Pakistan’s Jersey Controversy is taking social media by storm. Starexchange is also known as Starexch, where we never let any fan miss a single detail from tournaments like the Asia Cup 2025. From on-field action to off-field controversies, exclusive Match Insights dedicated to all cricket lovers: this platform is your one-stop shop.

Pakistan must bat well and put in a complete performance when it matters most, as all eyes will be trained on the Pakistan-India face-off just around the corner. 

 

FAQs

Q1: Why did Atiq-uz-Zaman chide the PCB?

A: The adverse quality of jerseys was an issue for which he attained the board about bias with respect to giving contracts.

Q2: How did Pakistan play against the UAE?

A: They emerged victorious by 41 runs, scoring 146/9, with Shaheen Afridi’s late cameo acting as a savior of the sinking innings.

Q3: What concerns does Captain Salman Ali Agha have?

A: He said that Pakistan’s batting in the middle overs was weak and needed improvement.

Q4: When will Pakistan play against India in the Asia Cup?

A: Pakistan will face India on the Super Four stage on September 21, 2025.