Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 5 wickets in a low-scoring clash in Abu Dhabi, keeping their hopes alive for a spot in the Asia Cup 2025 final..
Following the win, Pakistan’s lead pacer Shaheen Afridi addressed the media and took a dig at Suryakumar Yadav’s recent comment downplaying the India-Pakistan rivalry.
“I would like to say one thing on this question. I feel that you should stop asking this question on the rivalry,” Surya said during the press conference.
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India Crush Pakistan Again as Rivalry Talk Heats Up
Indian skipper referenced his team’s dominant six-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, where India chased down 172 comfortably. Interestingly, Suryakumar was later reminded during his presser that the original question wasn't even about the rivalry.
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That win marked India’s seventh straight victory over Pakistan in men’s international cricket, with their last defeat to them coming at the same venue during the 2022 Asia Cup.
Earlier, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav highlighted the growing gap in head-to-head records between the two sides since the T20 World Cup 2022, where India now holds a 7-0 clean sweep against the Men in Green.
“Standards and rivalry are the same,” he said. “According to me, if two teams play 15–20 matches and the [head-to-head] is 7–7 or 8–7, that is called a rivalry. But 13–0, 10–1… I don't know the exact stats, but this is not a rivalry anymore. We’ve just played better cricket than them.” he added
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Shaheen Afridi Eyes Final Showdown Against India
Meanwhile, Shaheen Afridi, reacting to Suryakumar’s statement, made it clear he’s looking forward to a potential rematch with India in the Asia Cup final.
“That's his view, let him say. When we meet (in the likely Asia Cup final on Sunday), we’ll see kya hai, kya nahi. Tab dekh lenge. We are here to win the Asia Cup and will give our best effort for that,” Afridi added.
If both India and Pakistan manage to get past Bangladesh, the Asia Cup 2025 will stage its first-ever final between the two arch-rivals — with Suryakumar Yadav’s men aiming to defend their title and win their 8th Asia Cup, while Pakistan will be chasing their third.
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