Former Pakistani pacer Umar Gul has warned the Indian team ahead of their Asia Cup 2025 match against Pakistan in Dubai on September 14. The Asia Cup will begin on September 9 and will feature eight teams.

India has been placed in Group A with Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. Group B sees Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.

India will play the UAE in their tournament opener on September 10 and will then clash with Pakistan on September 14. Their last group game will be on September 19 against Oman.

The Indian team hasn’t played any T20I matches before coming into the Asia Cup, while Pakistan faced off against the UAE and Afghanistan in the tri-series in Sharjah and defeated Afghanistan in the final of the series by 75 runs, to send a stern warning to the opposition.

The 42-year-old Umar Gul cautioned India against underestimating the Men in Green and urged the supporters to support the Pakistani team in light of the difficult task they face.

“We should support the Pakistan team. The Indian team looks strong, but in T20 cricket, one good batting or bowling performance can turn the match,” Gul was quoted as saying by Geo News.

As he listed the best players who will not be participating in the competition, Gul also mentioned that Pakistan could surprise everyone with their bowling.

“All the major tournaments Pakistan has won have come through the bowlers. Fans will surely miss stars like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma in this event,” he added.

India won the Asia Cup in 2023 in the ODI format, while Pakistan has not won the Asia Cup tournament since 2012.