India's veteran pacer Ishant Sharma said that he feels bad for the current Pakistan team and their situation for the amount of pressure they face from their own fans. Ishant said that the pressure used to be on India earlier when greats like Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar used to play for Pakistan. But, the current Pakistan team is no match for India considering the kind of talent the latter possesses.
"Pakistan already have so much pressure on them, how will they handle more from us? If you look at the matches, their fans in the crowd are always shouting behind them from the stands. Actually sometimes I feel bad for them," Ishant said on Raj Shamani podcast.
"The pressure will be high (during an India vs Pakistan match), but that was more during the time when they had great players like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq, Afridi... these were great players. The kind of talent, exposure and infrastructure we have, they are not even close," he added.
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Pakistan’s two defeats to India in Asia Cup 2025
Salman Agha-led Pakistan have faced two consecutive defeats in the ongoing T20 Asia Cup 2025. In the group stage game, their batting faltered after Agha opted to bat first. After Pakistan posted 127/9, India chased down the target with seven wickets in hand and 25 balls to spare. In the Super Fours encounter, Pakistan posted 171/5 as India dropped four catches. They failed to capitalise on a good start and post a total close to 200. Then the opening partnership blew them away, especially opener Abhishek Sharma's stormy knock.
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Pakistan still alive in Asia Cup final race
Pakistan have managed to stay alive in the race to the final. On September 23, their bowlers did well to restrict defending champions of T20 Asia Cup, Sri Lanka for 133/8 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Pakistan faltered in the middle overs but Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz's cameos helped them get over the line in 18 overs with two overs to spare.
Pakistan’s net run rate (NRR) is slightly better than Bangladesh who defeat Sri Lanka in a thrilling encounter. They will face Bangladesh in the must-win encounter at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on September 25.