Pakistan’s performances in the multi-national tournaments after reaching the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup have taken a dip, there has been a steep rise in issues both on-field and off-field with selections additionally there has been a constant churn of coaches and captains in the squads that have been sent to the tournament, as a result instability creeped in and Pakistan has not been a top team which it once was and Afghanistan in meantime have risen quite sharply and former Indian cricketer Madan Lal predicted that while India are favourites for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, Afghanistan can be seen as the side who can take over Pakistan’s spot.
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“India is a strong favourite [side] due to their skilled team. The unpredictability of the T20 format and the performances of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, noting that Afghanistan is currently playing well. Afghanistan is seen as a potential challenger to Pakistan, whose current performance and confidence levels are questioned. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are considered strong contenders,” Madan Lal said, speaking to ANI.
Pakistan has announced its squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Pakistan chief selector Aaqib Javed, speaking to the reporters after the squad announcement, was quite confident that this team can beat India during the tournament. The Men in Green will face the Men in Blue on 14th September, and potentially, both sides could clash again later in the tournament.
“This team has the ability to beat India in the Asia Cup. Whether you like it or not, the match between India and Pakistan is the biggest in world cricket. Every player knows this,” Javed said.
“Our squad can beat any team. Everyone is ready. Everyone knows the situation surrounding the two countries. But we don’t need to put extra pressure on them,” he added.
Head Coach Mike Hesson called out Babar Azam to improve his strike rate, as the batter has been omitted from the squad. “I think it’s really harsh to challenge a player on their form in three games,” he said at a press conference. “Babar played nicely in the first ODI but missed out on the next two. There’s no doubt Babar’s been asked to improve in some areas around taking on spin and in terms of his strike rate. Those are things he’s working really hard on,” Hesson said.
Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 squad:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufiyan Muqeem.
