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After some days of rest for several of the Asian countries, they are all set to meet next in the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup, set to be played in the UAE from September 9 to 28. However, the Indian cricket team will enter the tournament as the defending champions, after clinching the last edition, their neighbouring counterparts - Pakistan too would be vying to go all out to get hands on the silverware.
Notaby, India and Pakistan have been placed in Group A, alongside the UAE and Oman, all eyes are now on the India versus Pakistan clash, which is scheduled for September 14 in Dubai. Both sides will be coming into this high-octane match after playing their opening games with the UAE and Oman, respectively.
Pakistan’s T20 team can beat India: Aaqib Javed ahead of Asia Cup 2025
With less than a month left for the continental tournament, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday, August 17 announced their 17-member squad. While the side did not include the likes of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, it had star players like Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman and Khushdil Shah. Addressing the press conference alongside Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson after squad announcement, former cricketer and chief selector Aaqib Javed sent out a stern warning for the Indian team.
“Pakistan’s T20 team can beat India. India versus Pakistan matches are always huge. This 17-member squad can defeat any team. We shouldn’t put pressure on them, but I have high hopes for this squad. It’s not that we are completely sidelining them. The current choices reflect how a player develops. I’ve given examples of Sahibzada Farhan, Saim, and Fakhar. Sahibzada made a comeback, Saim initially struggled but later created an impact,” Aaqib Javed said at the press conference.
Watch video of Aaqib Javed’s statement after Pakistan’s squad announcement:
For the unversed, India and Pakistan have played 13 T20Is so far from which, Pakistan have come out victorious in only three of them.
Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 squad:
Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris (wk), Salman Agha (C), Hasan Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Salman Mirza.
