Pakistan suffered a humiliating six-wicket defeat at the hands of India in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (September 21).
Asked to bat first, the Men in Green posted 171/5 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of Sahibzada Farhan’s half-century (58 off 45) and Faheem Ashraf’s unbeaten cameo (20* off 8).
In reply, the Indian opening duo of Abhishek Sharma (74 off 39) and Shubman Gill (47 off 28) took the Pakistani bowling attack to the cleaners, sharing a fiery 105-run stand to propel the defending champions over the line with seven deliveries to spare.
This was Pakistan’s seventh straight defeat to India, and their second against the arch-rivals in the ongoing continental tournament.
No wonder, the outcome left the Pakistan cricket fraternity fuming. Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, who is currently in jail, brutally roasted the state of affairs within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after the Salman Ali Agha-led side once again lost to the arch-rivals.
Imran, who led his country to 1992 World Cup triumph, went on to say that Pakistan can only beat India if PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi and Army Chief Asim Munir walk out to bat as openers.
According to news agency PTI, Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khan addressed the media on Monday, and it was then that she revealed the former Pakistan Prime Minister’s statement.
Imran also said that for the side to win, they will need former Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan Sikandar Sultan Raja to act as on-field umpires. He further stated that the third umpire would also need to be the Islamabad High Court Chief Justice, Sarfaraz Dogar.
Khan has been quite critical of Naqvi, saying he has destroyed Pakistan cricket with his “incompetence” and “nepotism”.
The 72-year-old has also accused Asim Munir of stealing the mandate of his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in the February 2024 general elections.
Ever since the start of Asia Cup 2025, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has been under scrutiny. When the Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistan counterparts after the group-stage match, PCB wrote to the ICC, alleging partial behaviour by match referee Andy Pycroft.
The Pakistan board even threatened to pull out of the continental event if Pycroft wasn’t removed. However, the world body didn't listen to these demands, and Pakistan showed up for the UAE clash after much drama.
It is worth mentioning here that Naqvi is also the Interior Minister in the current Pakistan government. Pakistan have regularly violated rules in the Asia Cup, refusing to hold pre-match pressers on a couple of occasions.
After losing to India for the second time in one week, Pakistan are now facing a must-win situation in the remaining Super 4 games to stay alive in the Asia Cup 2025. They will take on Sri Lanka in their next match in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday (September 23).
