Pakistan seeks redemption as Asia Cup 2025 draws near

 

Pakistan seeks redemption as Asia Cup 2025 draws near 

Green Shirts brace for high-stakes showdown with India on September 14

Asher Butt

As the 2025 Asia Cup gets underway in the UAE, Pakistan’s cricket team finds itself in the spotlight, carrying both pressure and opportunity. Under the leadership of Salman Ali Agha, the Men in Green are entering a new era, aiming to rebuild after a turbulent period while preparing to face some of the region’s most formidable sides.

The squad arrived at Dubai’s ICC Academy on Saturday, sharing training facilities with arch-rivals India ahead of their final warm-up against Afghanistan in Sharjah. Despite practicing side by side, the two camps kept their distance, reflecting the frosty political climate that continues to loom over cricketing ties.

Pakistan’s rebuilding phase

The Green Shirts enter the Asia Cup as underdogs, particularly after bold selection decisions saw Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan omitted from the T20I squad due to poor form. Their absence has raised eyebrows, but also signaled the start of a new performance-driven selection policy.

The 17-man squad is a blend of youth and experience. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf lead the pace attack, while Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz carry the spin department. In batting, rising stars like Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan face the challenge of stepping into the shoes of Pakistan’s established names.

“This is the beginning of a new chapter for Pakistan cricket,” a PCB official noted. “Reputation alone won’t earn a place — performance will.”

India clash: Beyond the boundary

The September 14 clash with India in Dubai is already billed as the tournament’s centerpiece. It will be the first meeting between the two nations since the deadly border conflict in May, making it more than just a cricket contest.

India’s recent dominance in T20 internationals — with a 10-3 record over Pakistan — adds to the challenge. Their powerful lineup, featuring Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, poses a serious test for Pakistan’s young batting core.

Still, the Asia Cup format means the rivals could meet up to three times, offering Pakistan several chances at redemption.

Group A campaign and road ahead

Pakistan begins its Group A journey against hosts UAE, followed by the blockbuster India clash, and finally a match against Oman. While UAE and Oman appear beatable on paper, Pakistan will need to avoid complacency given the rise of surprise results in world cricket.

Advancement to the Super Four could pit Pakistan against Afghanistan’s spin-heavy bowling, Bangladesh’s growing squad, or Sri Lanka’s battle-hardened campaigners.

Bigger picture: World Cup preparation

For Pakistan, this Asia Cup is about more than regional glory. It doubles as a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. The competition provides an ideal platform for younger players to face elite opponents under pressure and for leadership to finalize team combinations.

Legendary pacer Wasim Akram has urged calm ahead of the India clash: “Players and fans should stay disciplined and let cricket do the talking.”

Politics, fans, and expectations

India’s late confirmation of participation underlined the complex political undercurrents that continue to affect bilateral cricket. For fans, however, the focus remains firmly on the cricket. The September 14 fixture alone is expected to draw over 400 million viewers worldwide, highlighting its unmatched commercial and cultural weight.

Pakistani supporters approach the tournament with cautious optimism, looking for grit and competitive performances rather than just titles, knowing this is a side in transition.

Conclusion: A defining campaign awaits

The Asia Cup 2025 could be a turning point for Pakistan cricket. With fresh faces, bold selection calls, and the weight of expectations, the team must prove that a new era is taking shape.

The much-anticipated clash with India will likely shape the narrative of Pakistan’s campaign, but for Salman Ali Agha and his men, the tournament offers a bigger opportunity — to restore confidence in the green shirt and to prove that Pakistan remains a force to reckon with in Asian cricket.