Watch: Pakistan captain can’t hide his reaction after journalist calls Afghanistan Asia's No. 2 team

Pakistan’s new T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has become the centre of attention ahead of the Asia Cup after his reaction during a pre-series press conference went viral. Agha, who is leading a young side following the exclusion of senior stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, was caught smirking when a Pakistani journalist suggested that Afghanistan were the second-best team at the T20 World Cup, behind champions India. Catch Pakistan captain’s reaction here. The remark was intended for Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, but Agha’s visible reaction quickly lit up social media. Many fans interpreted his smirk as a sign of disbelief, while others felt it revealed the competitive edge of a captain trying to rebuild Pakistan’s reputation in T20Is. The timing of the incident is significant. Pakistan are preparing for a tri-series against Afghanistan and the UAE, starting Friday, a crucial dress rehearsal for the Asia Cup. For Agha, who has inherited a side in transition, the challenge is not just tactical but also psychological, as Pakistan attempt to regain the aura of contenders after a poor run of results that saw them win just three of their last seven T20I series. Key players like Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf will be central to Pakistan’s campaign, but Agha’s leadership will remain under close watch. Afghanistan, buoyed by their historic run to the T20 World Cup semifinals, enter the series in better form and with momentum on their side. The tri-series opener between Pakistan and Afghanistan promises to be more than just a warm-up. With Agha already making headlines off the field, the focus will now shift to whether his team can deliver on it.