Shaheen declares Pakistan ‘ready’ to win Asia Cup as India await in final

Shaheen Shah Afridi, the former Pakistan captain, says his team is prepared to put forth a “complete effort” to win the 2025 Asia Cup with a potential mouth-watering rematch with India in the final on Sunday.

With a five-wicket win in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, Pakistan continued their campaign after falling to Sri Lanka in their second Super Fours match.

With a game to spare in the final Super Fours match, India will face Sri Lanka on Friday in their final encounter. They defeated Bangladesh by 41 runs in Dubai on Wednesday to advance to the final.

On Thursday before the final, Pakistan and Bangladesh will square off in what is essentially an elimination match.

In this edition of the regional competition, India and Pakistan have met twice, but neither country’s neighbors have ever competed in an Asian Cup final.

This is the 17th edition of the regional tournament, which was first held in 1984 and is now being played in the United Arab Emirates under the Twenty20 style.

India are the reigning champions of this edition, defeating Pakistan in both previous games, but left-arm seamer Shaheen was optimistic after taking 3-28 against Sri Lanka.

Before India defeated Bangladesh, Shaheen declared, “We are here to win the cup, we are ready to beat them. Regardless of the outcome, we are ready to win it.”

India will once again emerge as the top-seeded favorites if Pakistan does not make it to the final, having won 12 of the 15 T20Is between the two nations.

India has also won three one-day internationals, four T20Is, and the last seven against Pakistan since September 2022.

Suryakumar Yadav, the skipper of India, declared that India-Pakistan “is not a rivalry any more” following that incident.

There were no handshakes in either of India’s victories in the UAE, adding another layer to the already tense conflict.

He believes that is what. Shaheen of Suryakumar made the sharp comments, “Let him say that.”