Key points
- Early wickets deemed crucial to Pakistan’s chances
- Middle-overs spin could turn the game
ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has shared his views on how the Green Shirts can overcome long-time rivals India in their much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 clash, set to take place today at the iconic Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Speaking to a local sports platform, Malik emphasised that Pakistan’s best chance lies in making early inroads with the ball.
“The toss is an obvious thing – it’s not in anyone’s hands, not even Pakistan’s. But Pakistan’s best possible chance is if they can get three to four of India’s top batters out quickly and restrict them to very few runs,” Malik stated.
“That way, the game can be played in such a way that their total comes down to around 160–150. In my opinion, that’s one of the situations where Pakistan can beat India,” he added.
Second scenario
The seasoned all-rounder also outlined a second scenario that could swing the match in Pakistan’s favour: strong bowling in the middle overs.
“The second scenario is in the middle overs, where your spinners — Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed — pick up three wickets each. That could also create a real chance, if both of them play. Whether India bats first or second, if their batters don’t get out, you are never in the game,” he explained.
It is worth noting that both teams go into the high-stakes encounter in excellent form following dominant performances in their respective opening matches.
Previous encounters
India bowled out the hosts, UAE, for a mere 57 runs and chased the target in just 4.3 overs. Pakistan, meanwhile, posted 160 for 7 before bowling out Oman for 67 within 17 overs.
However, history favours India in T20 internationals. Out of the 13 previous encounters between the two sides, India have won 10.
Their most recent meeting came during the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York, where Rohit Sharma’s side narrowly defeated Babar Azam’s men in a tense, low-scoring contest.
Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2025: Salman Agha (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.
India squad for Asia Cup 2025: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.
