'This team can beat India in Asia Cup...': Former Pakistan's cricketer makes a BOLD statement after Asia Cup squad announcement
On Sunday, Pakistan announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming triangular T20I series in Sharjah and the 2025 Asia Cup in the UAE, notably leaving out experienced stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in a significant strategic move. Salman Ali Agha-led team selectors are focus on a aggressive approach, as the squad includes Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Sahibzada farhan
The exclusion of Babar and Rizwan has grabbed headlines, but Pakistan's director of high performance, Aqib Javed, emphasized that the team is fully capable of performing without the former batting stalwarts. While speaking at the squad announcement, Javed said, '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.'
India vs Pakistan set to be the most anticipated match
With India and Pakistan placed in Group A, their clash on September 14 in Dubai is being seen as the important event of the eight-team tournament. Tensions are heightened by the political context, including the Pahalgam terror attack and India's retaliatory Operation Sindoor. Calls for a boycott from some quarters in India have added to the controversy.
Javed looked confident following the squad selection, 'Our squad can beat any team. Everyone is ready. Everyone knowns the situation surrounding the two countries. But we don't need to put extra pressure on them'
Mike Hesson highlighted that Babar needs to improve in some areas
Meanwhile, coach Mike Hesson explained the reason behind Babar Azam's exclusion, mentioning that the star batsman has been asked to focus on improving key areas of his T20 game. 'There's no doubt Babar has been asked to improve in some areas, particularly against spin and in terms of his strike-rate,' Hesson said. He went on to say that Babar's next Big Bash League assignment with the Adelaide Strikers would be essential to demonstrating his development as a Twenty20 player.
Prior to the Asia Cup (September 9–28 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Pakistan will play in a triangular T20 International series against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates (Aug. 29–Sept. 7 in Sharjah). With India's match approaching and Javed supporting the young guns to deliver. against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates (Aug. 29–Sept. 7 in Sharjah). The stakes could not be higher with the India match approaching and Javed supporting the young guns to deliver.
Pakistan's Asia Cup 2025 squad
Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed
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