Pakistan can beat India: Aaqib Javed warns Gautam Gambhir ahead of blockbuster Asia Cup 2025 clash

Amidst the intense on-border rivalry between India and Pakistan, Aaqib Javed has fired a stern warning to the Men in Blue ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Aaqib Javed has added more fire to the India vs Pakistan rivalry while announcing a 17-member squad for the upcoming tournament.

The former Pakistani head coach has declared that they have the firepower to beat any team in the world, including arch-rivals India. The Asia Cup 2025 will stage its biggest India vs Pakistan clash on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

Aaqib Javed confident Pakistan can beat India at the Asia Cup 2025

The two teams will face each other on the cricket field at a sensitive time after the tragic death of 26 tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Later, India responded to Pakistan with a military attack. With the on-border atmosphere intensifying emotions, this game will be more than just a game.

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The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is expected to be packed with a massive crowd on September 14, and millions more will tune in worldwide to witness the spectacle. On being asked whether the 17-member squad can beat India in the Asia Cup 2025, the chief selector sounded upbeat.

Aaqib Javed has pointed out that the India vs Pakistan game is not an ordinary fixture but the biggest cricket match in the world. Aaqib Javed believes every player understands the weight of the moment and has the ability to upset any opposition.

India vs Pakistan is the biggest cricket match in the world: Aaqib Javed

Since an India vs Pakistan encounter naturally brings pressure, the former cricketer has insisted that his team is prepared and motivated to outclass India in Dubai.

Aaqib Javed said at the press conference, “Bilkul hai. Chahe ya na chahe, India-Pakistan duniya mein sabse bada cricket match hai. Yeh, har player ko ehsaas hota hai, har insaan ko ehsaas hota hai jo involved hota hai. Jo yeh 17-player ka squad hai, inke andar itni ability hai ki yeh kisi bhi team ko hara sakti hai. We are hopeful. Sabko ehsaas hai kitna bada match hai aur kis tarah aaj kal ke halaat chal rahe hain; unke upar zyaada pressure daalne ki bhi zarurat nahin hai, par I'm very hopeful.

"(Absolutely. Whether anybody admits it or not, India vs Pakistan is the biggest cricket match in the world. Every player involved knows it, and everyone involved understands its importance. This 17-player squad has enough ability to defeat any team. We are hopeful. Everyone knows how big this match is, and considering the current circumstances, there is no need to put extra pressure on them. But I remain very hopeful.")

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Pakistan drop Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Naseem Shah for the Asia Cup 2025

Meanwhile, Pakistan has announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, and pacer Naseem Shah have been left out, while Shaheen Shah Afridi retains his place in the T20I side.

Salman Ali Agha has been named captain for both the upcoming T20I Tri-Series and the Asia Cup 2025. The squad includes Fakhar Zaman, who has recovered from a recent hamstring injury, along with the big names like Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, and Faheem Ashraf.

Young guns like Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Haris have also been named in the squad for the upcoming T20I Tri-Series and the continental tournament, which will be played in the T20 format this year, keeping in mind next year’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Notably, Pakistan has so far played in 15 Asia Cups and won twice—under Moin Khan in 2000 and Misbah-ul-Haq in 2012.