Pakistan's selection committee member Aaqib Javed has made a massive claim about the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 match against Team India on September 14 in Dubai. The former fast bowler suggested that the 17-member squad selected for the multi-nation tournament can defeat any country, including Team India.
The two sides will take on one another on September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium on the backdrop of a recent political and military skirmish between them after 26 Indian tourists died in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Hence, the stakes will be high and fans are likely to turn up in large numbers at the venue.
Speaking at a presser on August 17, Sunday after Pakistan's squad announcement, Javed answered the below to a question from a reporter, who asked whether the Men in Green can defeat India:
"Bilkul hai. Chahe ya na chahe, India-Pakistan duniya mein sabse bada cricket match hai. Yeh har player ko ehsaas hota hai, har insaan ko ehsaas hota hai jo involved hota hai. Jo yeh 17 player ka squad hai, inke andar itni ability hai ki yeh kisi bhi team ko hara sakti hai. We are hopeful. Sabko ehsaas hai kitna bada match hai aur kis tarah aaj kal ke halaat chal rahe hain, unke upar zyaada pressure daalne ki bhi zarurat nahin hai par, I'm very hopeful."
(Absolutely there is. Whether anybody likes it or not, there is no bigger game than India-Pakistan today. Every player involved knows it. This 17-player squad has the capability to beat any side in the world. We are hopeful. The current circumstances means no one needs to be pressurized more than they already are. So, I'm hopeful.)
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan left out of Pakistan squad:
Meanwhile, the selectors have left out Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the 17-man squad for the upcoming edition of Asia Cup, as was Naseem Shah. But Shaheen Shah Afridi has retained his spot.
Pakistan squad: Salman Agha (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim.
Salman Agha's men will open their Asia Cup campaign against Oman on September 10 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Before the tournament, the Men in Green will play a tri-series, involving Afghanistan and UAE.
