Former England spinner Monty Panesar believes that the Suryakumar Yadav-led India are the more balanced side than Pakistan ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 clash between Asian giants. The high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan will take place on September 14 at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
Panesar, who was the part of England's 2009 and 2010-11 Ashes-winning side, said that India are clearly favourites against Pakistan because of their blend of match-winning batters and world-class bowlers.
“I feel India are favourites to win, as their team is stronger, and Pakistan have to play really well, they have to push 10–20 per cent extra,” Panesar told IANS on Sunday. “The world watches the India-Pakistan match and the competition should be very good between the teams. In today’s match, India are favourites, as Pakistan are not a strong team yet.”
There is not much hype among Indian cricket fans for the Pakistan clash because of the strained political relations between the neighbouring nations in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor to counter the cross-border terrorism after the Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
However, India's Sports ministry clarified that India can play Pakistan in "international and multilateral events", but can't engage in "bilateral sports events in each other's country".
Asia Cup 2025 clash against Pakistan will be the second match for India as the Men in Blue faced the UAE in their tournament opener. India defeated the hosts by nine wickets, and on the other hand, Pakistan are also coming after a 93-run win over Oman in Dubai.
When did Rohit and Kohli both miss a T20I against Pakistan since their debut?
This is the first time that India are playing without senior pros Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in a major multilateral tournament following their retirements from the T20I format last year. There has been a single time when the batting duo Rohit and Virat didn't feature in a T20I clash against Pakistan during the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2007 group stage game in Durban. This was the same match that ended in a tie, as the result was then declared through a bowl-out.