There is a lot of excitement surrounding the India versus Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025, due to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next month.
The arch-rivals are slated to square off on September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium in a Group A fixture. They might face each other thrice in the continental showpiece, provided both teams make it to the Super 4s and final.
Ahead of the marquee fixture, former Pakistan cricketer Bazid Khan weighed in on India’s Asia Cup squad, which won’t feature two of their biggest icons -- Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
While Bazid acknowledged the overall quality of the team, he highlighted the voids that Kohli and Rohit’s absence creates.
“Look, all these players are high-class. There isn’t anyone here you would say is not of that calibre. But the high intensity that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma brought to the game, that is something India will surely miss,” Bazid said while speaking on PTV Sports.
He also commented on Suryakumar Yadav’s struggles against Pakistan. “Suryakumar scores runs against almost everyone but somehow against Pakistan he hasn’t been effective. Whether it is the pace attack or some other reason, it remains an issue.”
Bazid further claimed that India will miss Ravindra Jadeja's all-round contribution and his fielding prowess.
“People talk about Virat and Rohit, but Jadeja was someone who really helped the team gel together. Axar Patel is there, but Jadeja gave you balance as a batter, as a bowler, and above all, his fielding. In world cricket, Jadeja was among the top one or two fielders.”
The Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the T20 format from September 9 to September 28. The marquee event will feature 8 teams and a total of 19 matches, including the title clash.
India will open their campaign against UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 10.
India squad for Asia Cup 2025: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh
Stand-bys: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal
