'We can absolutely inflict an upset on either India or Pakistan...': UAE captain Muhammad Waseem's stern warning to Asian giants in Asia Cup 2025

UAE captain Muhammad Waseem gives a stern warning to arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. Hosts UAE are currently preparing for their tournament opener clash against India, which will take place at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.

Waseem, who recently gave some trouble to Afghanistan in the tri-series involving Pakistan as well, is looking to repeat the same in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. The UAE are slotted in Group A alongside India, Pakistan and Oman. The UAE skipper has proclaimed that the UAE have the capacity to beat India or Pakistan in their group.

ALSO READ: 'They need to start scoring runs...': Jonathan Trott slams Afghanistan batters following 94-run victory over Hong Kong

ALSO READ: 'As long as the body can...': Adil Rashid opens up on retirement plans, rules out Ashes return

“We've been working very hard for the past two to three months and can beat anyone in this format,” Waseem said in an interview with ESPN Cricinfo.

“It comes down to what kind of cricket we play on the day, and whether we apply ourselves the way we've planned it. We can absolutely inflict an upset on either India or Pakistan. We could beat Oman, and we'll target one of these two and eye a run to the Super Four.”

While the UAE Skipper acknowledged that it will take some time for the local team to garner some support for itself, he remarked on how far UAE cricket has come in the past few years.

“Five years ago, only your mates and your parents came to watch you here. Now, we see crowds coming to watch and support us,” Waseem said.

“In the matches coming up, we can expect some support, and I'd like to call on cricket fans here to come out and support us during the Asia Cup.

“...The last three years, the ILT20 has been a huge help to the players. Because there are a lot of big-name players in there. It places you in a different kind of pressurised learning environment that help you learn things which prove useful in international cricket.”

India vs UAE head-to-head

India and the UAE have played just one T20I against each other in the history of the shortest format of the game during the Asia Cup 2016 in Mirpur, Bangladesh. MS Dhoni-led India restricted UAE to 81 for nine in its 20 overs, where each of India’s six bowlers took a wicket and Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked two. India defeated the side by nine wickets.