Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram believes that Pakistan may reach the occasion against the rescue of Champions India in its upcoming Asia Cup 2025 competition and also highlighted the greatness of the Indian side who has excelled as a unit.
India has entered the Asia Cup 2025 as a favorite and defending champion of the competition. He has won 18 of the 21 T20 Internationals played since he lifted the final T20 World Cup in 2024. India also dominated the Asia Cup 2025 opener against UAE.
Wasim Akram feels that India vs Pakistan will be a competitive match in the Asia Cup 2025
Pakistan legend has shown immense faith in the currently improved Pakistani squad under the leadership of Salman Ali Aga. In addition, the new coach, Mike Hessen has a great impact on lifting the souls of the new Pakistan team.
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“I think it would be a competitive match,” Wasim told Telecom Asia Sport. “Yes, India is a good and strong team and if you compare these two teams then the players-war-India looks strong, but I think Pakistan will believe in winning the three-series and will give a good competition.”
“Pakistan is a young side with a good captain and a good head coach, so they need time to settle in a strong unit. We, as a nation, need quick results, which will not come,” he said.
Wasim Akram cites concerns within the Indian team
Citing positivity from the developed Pakistan and re -designed by the new coach, Wasim Akram has highlighted the team’s weak link in the Asia Cup 2025.
He showed great concern over the role of Mohammad Haris in the batting order. “He has some problems for me, such as Mohammad Haris is not the best, but he is not playing as an opener on his normal number,” Wasim said, “It’s difficult to Haris … It is impossible for a opener to bat in the middle order.”
The depth of bowling is also a matter of concern according to the age of 59. “You may not have two part-time bowlers as the fifth bowling option. If you have two parts, the team will attack them,” Wasim warned.
Akram has also praised India’s depth in the T20I side
After citing some challenges within the Indian team, the former Pakistani Great revealed that he was influenced by the depth of the Indian team and the balance of the competition.
He said, “Both Kuldeep and Varun are good. They are difficult to read. Kuldeep was very accurate and fatal on the second day,” he said, the credit for the infrastructure for the system of India and continuous excellence.
After a long gap from this format of international cricket, Akram highly praised Star Indian Speedster Jasprit Bumrah after his comeback on the Indian T20I side in the Asia Cup 2025.
“Bumrah is at the top of the ladder and is being managed well by India. So the bowlers of this era are credited because due to T20 cricket, they are more under pressure.”
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