India and Pakistan at Asia Cup 2025: Captains Share Expectations, No Clear Favourites
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On September 9, ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, team captains addressed the media. As always, India and Pakistan remain in the spotlight, with their statements adding fuel to the anticipation of the much-awaited clash. Afghanistan’s coach also weighed in after his team’s opening victory over Hong Kong.
India skipper Suryakumar Yadav underlined that in T20 cricket, it is impossible to label any team as favourite:
“In T20 cricket, I don’t think there are any favourites. On a particular day, you have to play good cricket,” Yadav said.
He stressed that the squad is well prepared but performance will depend on form and match conditions. Asked about the opening batters, he responded:
“The final call will be made before the match against the UAE.”
On the high-voltage encounter with Pakistan, Yadav added:
“Aggression is always there on the field. Without aggression, you can’t take the field. I am excited to take the field.”
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha focused on his team’s strength, dismissing concerns about the absence of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan:
“We are playing well and have won three of the last four series. It’s going to be a huge challenge … We are ready for the challenge,” Ali Agha stated.
He also underlined that the recent tri-series acted as an ideal preparation ahead of the Asia Cup.
Afghanistan began their campaign with a convincing win against Hong Kong. Still, head coach Jonathan Trott highlighted the need for improvement:
“We must improve our consistency. Despite the strong result, we showed patchiness at the start and that requires attention,” Trott noted.
Both India and Pakistan acknowledged that their clash will be charged with emotions. While aggression on the field is natural, the captains agreed that the game will remain within the spirit of cricket.
The press conference revealed contrasting psychological strategies. India, through Yadav, is sending the message of taking it “day by day,” reducing pressure and keeping flexibility. Pakistan, on the other hand, is portraying confidence in squad depth, aiming to prove they are not dependent on star names.
Afghanistan’s emphasis on correcting flaws points to a maturing side that seeks to translate talent into sustained performance. All these factors make Asia Cup 2025 a tournament where mental resilience, alongside skill, will decide who takes the upper hand in crunch moments.
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