Latest news with #TheMeninBlue
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First Post
05-08-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Ex-Pakistan captain expresses concern ahead of India showdown at Asia Cup: 'Will be very tough'
India have been a dominant force in T20Is in the last couple of years while Pakistan have had an inconsistent run since their disastrous T20 World Cup campaign last year. The two arch-rivals have been placed in the same group in next month's Asia Cup and could potentially face each other thrice. read more Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif did not sound too optimistic about his team's chances against India in next month's Asia Cup in the UAE citing the team's poor run in recent assignments and calling for an overhaul not just in the team's execution but also in their mindset. India and Pakistan have been placed in the same group in the Asia Cup, which returns to the T20 format this year, along with Oman and the UAE and the arch-rivals could face each other two more times after their initial meeting in Dubai on 14 September, given the format of the tournament. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | Ex-cricketer questions BCCI over India-Pakistan fixtures in Asia Cup: 'Especially after the terrorist attack…' 'It will be very tough for Pakistan to play against a strong Indian side on September 14. Asia Cup ho jaye bas (hope the Asia Cup goes ahead somehow),' former wicket-keeper Latif told news agency IANS. 'Humari cricket hawa may chal rhi hai (our brand of cricket is inconsistent)… We lost to Bangladesh and the West Indies — matches we should never have lost. Our captain might be good, but juggling all three formats is not easy. We have talent, but we are not making the right decisions yet,' he added. India's ruthlessness vs Pakistan's inconsistency The Men in Blue have been dominant in the T20 format, winning 24 out of 26 matches last year and handing England a 4-1 thrashing at home earlier this year. Pakistan, on the other hand, has been far from consistent in the shortest format, losing four out of seven bilateral series' since their disastrous T20 World Cup campaign in the US and the Caribbean last year, including a 1-2 defeat in Bangladesh last month. The Salman Agha-led side, however, regained some confidence ahead of the Asia Cup with a 2-1 victory over West Indies in the United States, sealing their victory with a 13-run win in the decider on Monday. India and Pakistan had faced each other twice in the 2022 edition, the last time the continental event took place in the 20-over format. While India won the initial contest, Pakistan bounced back in the 'Super Four' stage, winning by five wickets and progressing to the final at the expense of their arch-rivals. Pakistan, however, would go on to lose the final against Sri Lanka by 23 runs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite being placed in the same group, there are doubts as to whether the India-Pakistan match will even go ahead in light of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam as well as the subsequent conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations that has resulted in a nosedive in diplomatic relations between the two neighbours
Indian Express
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Manoj Tiwary on IND vs PAK clash in Asia Cup 2025: ‘Operation Sindoor is still going on. How can we play a match with Pakistan?'
The Indian cricket team is scheduled to play a game against Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in September. The tournament is set to be hosted in the UAE, and The Men in Blue will clash against The Men in Green on 14th September. Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary questioned how India can play Pakistan after the Phalgam terror attack and with Operation Sindoor still going on. 'The situation was so bad, how can we think of an India-Pakistan match? I feel that it should be considered again and the India-Pakistan match should not happen in such an environment,' Tiwary said, speaking on ANI. This will be the first match between India and Pakistan since the attack. Subsequently, Operation Sindoor was conducted by the Indian armed forces in Pakistan against terror emanating from that country. 'Our Prime Minister is saying that Operation Sindoor is still going on. How can we play a match with Pakistan?' Tiwary asked. The two sides were slated to meet in the Women's Asia Cup for emerging players last month. However, the BCCI withdrew from the tournament in the aftermath of the terror attacks and the consequent escalation in hostilities. The Indian cricket board even threatened the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to shift their annual meeting from Dhaka to another country. The Indian Express learnt that they warned other countries not to attend the meeting in the Bangladeshi capital. However, with the BCCI officials and Sri Lanka Cricket chiefs attending the meeting through video conferencing earlier this month, the schedule for the September event was finalised. Recently, a senior sports ministry official said the government will not stop India from playing against Pakistan in multi-nation tournaments. Confirming the dates and the host nation for the Asia Cup, ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, also the Pakistan Cricket Board president, posted on X: 'I am delighted to confirm the dates for the ACC Men's Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE. The prestigious tournament will take place from September 9th to 28th. We look forward to a spectacular display of cricket! The detailed schedule will be out soon. #Cricketwins'
