With the fast-approaching Asia Cup 2025, all eyes are on the Group A encounter between India and Pakistan on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Uncertainty over the marquee clash had mounted after the India Champions team, led by Yuvraj Singh, withdrew from their scheduled WCL match against Pakistan Champions twice last month.
The decision was made in response to the heightened tensions between two countries following the Pahalgam terror attack and retaliatory Operation Sindoor.
While the calls are growing in India to boycott the Pakistan fixture, the BCCI is yet to release an official statement and the stage looks set for the game to go ahead as of now.
On Sunday (August 17), Pakistan named a 17-member squad for the continental event, slated to be held in UAE from September 9 to September 28.
Salman Ali Agha will lead the side, in which experienced batters like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan failed to make the cut.
However, PCB chief selector Aqib Javed played down the lack of experience, saying that they have the arsenal to beat India in the eight-team tournament.
“This team has the ability to beat India in the Asia Cup. Whether you like it or not, the match between India and Pakistan is the biggest in world cricket. Every player knows this,” Javed told reporters.
“Our squad can beat any team. Everyone is ready. Everyone knows the situation surrounding the two countries. But we don't need to put extra pressure on them,” he added.
Aqib Javed also addressed Babar and Rizwan's omission from the Asia Cup T20 squad, citing that they need work on their weak areas for a comeback.
“It is not impossible that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will never play T20Is. We are not writing them off. At the moment, we have some players such as Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Sahibzada Farhan. The players who are performing only those will play. We have some good choices, and it is a good thing for our cricket,” said Javed.
“If both Babar and Rizwan perform like the other players, they will definitely get back into the squad. We have given them guidelines regarding how they can get better,” he remarked.
The Asia Cup 2025 sees Pakistan slotted In Group A alongside India, Oman and the UAE. The Men in Green will open their campaign on September 12 against Oman.
