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Wasim Akram says India are favorites for the 2025 Asia Cup clash with Pakistan in Dubai.
Pakistan legend Wasim Akram. (AFP Photo)
Wasim Akram believes India will start the 2025 Asia Cup clash against Pakistan as the ‘favorites’, given their recent form, but added the team that ‘handles pressure best’ will have the better chance. He also hopes that players and fans from both sides will not ‘cross the line’ in their patriotism.
The match, scheduled for September 14 in Dubai, would be one of the most emotionally loaded ones for both sides in a long time. It’s the first clash since the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, which had culminated in extreme cross-border tensions, including missile and drone attacks, and several losses of lives.
“I am sure these matches will be entertaining, just like all other Ind-Pak matches,” Akram told Telecom Asia Sport. “But I hope both the players and the fans will remain disciplined and not cross the line. If Indians are patriotic and want their team to win, the same goes for Pakistani fans. India have been in better form recently and will start as favourites, but the team that handles pressure best on the day will win.”
Until last month, there was a significant chance that the match wouldn’t happen at all. Some reports claimed that the Asia Cup was on the verge of being cancelled after calls to the BCCI were made to cut all ties with Pakistan, including in the multi-national tournaments.
However, the tournament was eventually ratified and is now set to go ahead as planned. The BCCI is the official host but the tournament will be played entirely in the UAE.
Recently, the Indian sports ministry put out a release that said that bilateral ties will remain severed but the government won’t prevent the team from playing multi-national tournaments. Akram, nevertheless, wishes that the countries resume playing Test cricket for the fans’ sake.
“This Asia Cup will be a feast for fans worldwide. It’s my wish that India and Pakistan also resume playing a Test series. It’s been too long, and it would be a historic spectacle for fans on both sides,” Akram said.
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