India's legend betrays the country, supplies tactical knowledge to Pakistan before Asia Cup Super 4

The stage is set for yet another high-octane India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four, and Ravichandran Ashwin has already predicted a heartbreak for the Men in Green at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Sunday, September 21.

Ashwin said that the Men in Blue enter the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match as the overwhelming favorites, and Pakistan will need a near-perfect performance to pull off an upset in Dubai.

Ravichandran Ashwin predicts heartbreak for Pakistan ahead of Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash against India

India has been in solid form, cruising through their group-stage matches with three consecutive wins. The Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian cricket team survived a brief scare from Oman but ultimately maintained control to seal their place in the Super Four round.

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On the other hand, Pakistan managed to stun the UAE and Oman to make it to the top four after their crushing seven-wicket loss to India in the group phase in Dubai. Ahead of the much-awaited India-Pakistan clash, Ashwin highlighted their struggles to reach even 150 runs consistently.

The former Indian all-rounder pointed out that Shaheen Afridi’s contributions with the bat have been one of the few positives in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, but the team’s middle order continues to be fragile. He feels the Men in Green must show a really strong fight to upset India.

If Pakistan even competes in this game, it’ll be an upset: Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel, “If Pakistan even competes in this game, it’ll be an upset. From their point of view, I just want to see Saim Ayub score some runs instead of getting out first ball because he is a good cricketer.

I doubt they’ll give much competition to India in the upcoming match as well. It’s just going to be yet another India-Pakistan match with the associate teams out of the tournament; that’s it. Pakistan is still struggling to even scale 150. They are barely getting there, only by Shaheen Afridi’s batting.”

Ravichandran Ashwin advises Pakistan to hit stumps and swing freely against India

Surprisingly, Ashwin shared some crucial advice for the Men in Green against the Suryakumar Yadav-led side.

The former Indian off-spinner has suggested Pakistan focus on hitting the stumps while bowling and swinging freely when batting.

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Ashwin also hinted that India is likely to retain Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, along with Shivam Dube at number eight, which could make life very difficult for Pakistan.

He predicted that even a modest total of 160 could make the match competitive, but batting first could backfire under the pressure of the India-Pakistan rivalry.

Don't make it a no-contest straightaway: Ravichandran Ashwin

In their previous Group A meeting in Dubai, Pakistan batted first and crumbled to 127 for nine in 20 overs, allowing India to chase the target comfortably in just 16 overs. Given that Ashwin warned Pakistan of a repeat of such a collapse, it could make the upcoming Super Four clash one-sided and difficult to watch for the fans on Sunday.

Ashwin signed off by saying, “If I were Pakistan, I’d just aim at the stumps when bowling and swing hard when batting against India. Because quality-wise, I am unsure if they can do much.”

"Also, one request to Pakistan—please don’t bat first because of the pressure of the contest. By batting first, you make it a no-contest straightaway. By getting bowled out for 150, you are making the second half unwatchable.”