Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif responded to Team India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s remarks that there is no longer a rivalry between the two nations in cricket. Latif stated that the rivalry on the field will always remain as long as tensions and conflicts persist between the two countries.
India will face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 28.
Notably, it will be the first-ever final between the two teams in the 41-year history of the Asia Cup. Pakistan have lost both encounters against India in the ongoing eight-team tournament.
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India Will Continue to Win, That's Not a Problem - Rashid Latif
Rashid Latif said that the cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan will continue as long as political tensions exist between the nations. However, the cricketer-turned-expert stated that India have been dominating on the field.
"There will be rivalry. Jab tak jung hai tab tak cricket ki rivalry rahegi. Ye khatam nahi hogi (As long as there is war, there will be rivalry in cricket. It will not end)," Latif said while speaking to The Times of India.
"But yes, India will continue to win. That is not a problem. But rivalry will always be there. It will continue," Latif added.
The Disadvantage Will Be for India - Ex-Pakistan Skipper
Rashid Latif stated that Pakistan will enter the contest as underdogs with little to lose, while the pressure will be heavier on India. He added that a Pakistan victory would increase pressure on the BCCI and the players.
“The disadvantage will be for India. India has everything to lose. Pakistan have nothing to lose, they are already underdogs," Latif continued.
"If Pakistan win here, it will be very tough for BCCI and also for some players who have been very vocal about this tournament, be it the captain’s statement, the board’s stance, or Shubman Gill’s tweet," he added.
Haris Rauf Fined by ICC for Controversial Gesture in Super 4 Clash
The Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan in Dubai has been overshadowed by off-field controversies. India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, reportedly refused to take part in the traditional captains’ photo shoot on the eve of the clash.
Earlier in the tournament, Indian players avoided handshakes after their group-stage win, while Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha skipped the presentation ceremony.
In their second meeting, Haris Rauf was fined for aggressive behavior, and Sahibzada Farhan received a warning for his celebration.
Suryakumar Yadav was also sanctioned for remarks related to the Pahalgam attack. India have already defeated Pakistan twice in this edition. Notably, this will be the first-ever Asia Cup final between the archrivals, taking place in a charged atmosphere.
India faced an injury scare ahead of the final, as Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya struggled with cramps during the last Super Fours match against Sri Lanka. Both players spent significant time off the field but have been cleared to play in the title clash.
Also read: Case filed against Arshdeep Singh in Dubai
Pakistan captain reminds Suryakumar Yadav of war in response to 'No Rivalry' comment
Published - 28 Sep 2025, 03:03 PM | Updated - 28 Sep 2025, 11:34 PM
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif responded to Team India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s remarks that there is no longer a rivalry between the two nations in cricket. Latif stated that the rivalry on the field will always remain as long as tensions and conflicts persist between the two countries.
India will face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 28.
Notably, it will be the first-ever final between the two teams in the 41-year history of the Asia Cup. Pakistan have lost both encounters against India in the ongoing eight-team tournament.
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India Will Continue to Win, That's Not a Problem - Rashid Latif
Rashid Latif said that the cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan will continue as long as political tensions exist between the nations. However, the cricketer-turned-expert stated that India have been dominating on the field.
"There will be rivalry. Jab tak jung hai tab tak cricket ki rivalry rahegi. Ye khatam nahi hogi (As long as there is war, there will be rivalry in cricket. It will not end)," Latif said while speaking to The Times of India.
"But yes, India will continue to win. That is not a problem. But rivalry will always be there. It will continue," Latif added.
The Disadvantage Will Be for India - Ex-Pakistan Skipper
Rashid Latif stated that Pakistan will enter the contest as underdogs with little to lose, while the pressure will be heavier on India. He added that a Pakistan victory would increase pressure on the BCCI and the players.
“The disadvantage will be for India. India has everything to lose. Pakistan have nothing to lose, they are already underdogs," Latif continued.
"If Pakistan win here, it will be very tough for BCCI and also for some players who have been very vocal about this tournament, be it the captain’s statement, the board’s stance, or Shubman Gill’s tweet," he added.
Haris Rauf Fined by ICC for Controversial Gesture in Super 4 Clash
The Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan in Dubai has been overshadowed by off-field controversies. India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, reportedly refused to take part in the traditional captains’ photo shoot on the eve of the clash.
Earlier in the tournament, Indian players avoided handshakes after their group-stage win, while Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha skipped the presentation ceremony.
In their second meeting, Haris Rauf was fined for aggressive behavior, and Sahibzada Farhan received a warning for his celebration.
Suryakumar Yadav was also sanctioned for remarks related to the Pahalgam attack. India have already defeated Pakistan twice in this edition. Notably, this will be the first-ever Asia Cup final between the archrivals, taking place in a charged atmosphere.
India faced an injury scare ahead of the final, as Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya struggled with cramps during the last Super Fours match against Sri Lanka. Both players spent significant time off the field but have been cleared to play in the title clash.
Also read: Case filed against Arshdeep Singh in Dubai
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Rashid Latif Suryakumar Yadav Salman Ali Agha India National Cricket Team Pakistan National Cricket Team India vs Pakistan Pakistan vs India Asia CupAbout the Author
Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla... Read more