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Team India is all set to return to competitive action in the upcoming edition of the Men’s Asia Cup, which is set to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28. While the Men in Blue will enter the tournament as the defending champions, they will kickstart their campaign against the UAE on September 10.
The much-anticipated match between India and Pakistan, which has been under talks since the India Champions withdrew from playing against the arch-rivals in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), will be played on September 14. While the match continues to remain a crowd-puller, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently shared a big statement around the upcoming match.
No more begging for negotiations: Mohsin Naqvi on IND vs PAK
While the Indian government as well as the Board of Controlf for Cricket in India (BCCI) have continuously asserted on India playing Pakistan in the continental tournament, the PCB Chairman, who also holds the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chair, stated that that “there will be no more begging” with India on these grounds.
"I think we are very clear that whenever talks are held will be on an equal footing with India and there will be no more begging for negotiations. That time has passed and whatever will happen will be on the basis of equality," Naqvi said during a press conference in Lahore, just days before the start of the Asia Cup.
While the Pakistan cricket body have time and again asserted on playing India in the bilateral series, the Indian government have cleared their stance on not playing their arch-rivals in a bilateral series. While the two nations are set to lock horns on September 14, they could face again in the later stages of the Asia Cup 2025.
