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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 because the ‘favorites’, given their recent form, but added the team that ‘handles pressure best’ can have the higher probability. He also hopes that players and fans from each side is not going to ‘cross the road’ of their patriotism.
The match, scheduled for September 14 in Dubai, could be probably the most emotionally loaded ones for each side in an extended time. It’s the primary clash for the reason that Pahalgam terror attack earlier this yr, which had culminated in extreme cross-border tensions, including missile and drone attacks, and a number of other losses of lives.
“I’m sure these matches shall be entertaining, similar to all other Ind-Pak matches,” Akram told Telecom Asia Sport. “But I hope each the players and the fans will remain disciplined and never cross the road. If Indians are patriotic and wish their team to win, the identical goes for Pakistani fans. India have been in higher form recently and can start as favourites, however the team that handles pressure best on the day will win.”
Until last month, there was a big probability that the match wouldn’t occur in any respect. Some reports claimed that the Asia Cup was on the verge of being cancelled after calls to the BCCI were made to chop all ties with Pakistan, including within the multi-national tournaments.
Nonetheless, the tournament was eventually ratified and is now set to go ahead as planned. The BCCI is the official host however the tournament shall be played entirely within the UAE.
Recently, the Indian sports ministry put out a release that said that bilateral ties will remain severed but the federal 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 shall 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 could be a historic spectacle for fans on each side,” Akram said.
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