Ex-Captain: Prefer Watching India vs Afghanistan Over Pakistan

Sep 16, 2025 - 16:00

Sourav Ganguly, a former captain of the Indian cricket team and head of the Cricket Council of India (BCCI), has said that Pakistan’s national squad is no longer competitive.

After Pakistan’s humiliating loss to India in the 2025 Asia Cup, Ganguly told reporters in Kolkata that he had lost interest in the tournament from the beginning. The 53-year-old diverted his attention to the Manchester derby just fifteen overs into Sunday’s much-anticipated showdown in Dubai.

“Pakistan has lost its competitive edge. Ganguly turned his attention to the Manchester derby after 15 overs.

“I would prefer to see India take on other teams like Afghanistan, South Africa, England, or Australia than Pakistan.”

Remembering a period when Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis were superstars, the former Indian captain bemoaned Pakistan’s decline.

“India and Pakistan are no longer competing with each other,” he concluded.

Their spots in the Super Four were sealed by the UAE’s victory over Oman and India’s back-to-back victories. After restricting Pakistan to 127-9 in Sunday’s group match, India cruised to victory with seven wickets remaining in 16 overs in the chase.

With a net run-rate of 1.649 compared to the UAE’s -2.030, Pakistan maintained second place in Group A, but the two teams equaled for two points. To finish up their group round, India will face Oman on Friday in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates will meet in a group stage encounter in Dubai on Wednesday, with the outcome of the match deciding who advances to the Super Four.