Wasim Akram: ‘Win Asia Cup, Not Just Beat India’

Sep 13, 2025 - 23:00

Wasim Akram, a famous Pakistani pacer, has told his country’s cricketers to keep their eyes on the big prize before their high-stakes Asia Cup T20 match against India on Sunday.

Before Pakistan’s important Group A encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Akram stressed that the team should focus on the tournament as a whole rather than getting caught up in the rivalry with India.

Akram told the inexperienced team before their Group A match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium that they shouldn’t simply want to beat India; they should want to win the Asia Cup. “Even if you lose to a good team, get up and play well in the tournament.”

The match is the first time the two neighbours have played cricket against each other since a military clash four months ago that brought their relationship to its lowest point in decades. India didn’t listen to requests to boycott the match, even if there were tensions. This means that the ancient rivalry will continue, even though there hasn’t been a bilateral series since 2008.

Akram, the famous left-arm pacer, stated, “Enjoy it, it’s a game of cricket.” “Don’t think about anything else but cricket. There will be a winner and a loser. “Deal with the stress, be disciplined, and enjoy the moment. This is just a game for both teams and their fans.”

Akram thought back on his own career and remembered how well he did under duress in games against India.

“I liked every game against India, and so did the other players,” he remarked. He talked about how he led Pakistan on the 1999 India tour, even though Islamists threatened him, and how he was part of the 1987 tour when the two countries almost went to war.

Both clubs are in good shape going into the game. India bowled out the UAE for 57 runs and pursued the target in 4.3 overs. Pakistan scored 160 runs and then bowled out Oman for 67 runs in 16.4 overs.

India has a strong record against Pakistan in T20 matches, winning 10 of the 13 times they have played. India won their most recent match against them by six wickets at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai in February.

Akram also told Pakistan not to get too excited about playing against their biggest rivals and the T20 world champions.

“Pakistan has a chance because they won a three-team series last week with Afghanistan and the UAE. He said, “Anything can happen in this tournament.”

There will be 25,000 people at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium for what promises to be an exciting game.