The high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 is set for September 14. However, former cricketer Basit Ali has slammed Pakistan’s performance, even suggesting that India should refuse to play them — claiming the Men in Blue would defeat Pakistan in a way “fans can’t even imagine.”
His comments came after Pakistan’s humiliating 202-run loss to the West Indies on Tuesday (August 12) in the third ODI. Chasing a target of 295, the Mohammad Rizwan-led side crumbled to just 92 runs in a dramatic batting collapse.
West Indies pacer Jayden Seales was the chief destroyer, grabbing a sensational six-wicket haul to dismantle Pakistan’s batting line-up. The loss also handed Pakistan a 2-1 series defeat — their first ODI series loss to the West Indies in 34 years, with the last such setback dating back to 1991.
Basit Ali hopes India refuses to face Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025
Asia Cup Speaking on the YouTube channel The Game Plan, Basit Ali expressed his wish that India might refuse to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, to avoid what he called a potentially humiliating defeat.
“I pray India refuses to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, just like they did at the World Championship of Legends. India will beat us so badly that you can’t even imagine,” he said.
He added, “If we lose to Afghanistan, it doesn’t matter much. But the moment we lose to India, everyone goes crazy.”
The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled for September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India, Pakistan, Oman, and UAE are grouped together in Group A.
The two teams could also meet again during the Super Four stage or in the final. The tournament begins on September 9 in the UAE, with Group B comprising Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, and Bangladesh.
Last month, during the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025—a franchise T20I tournament featuring former international players—India’s team refused to play against Pakistan. Former Indian stars including Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan opted out of two scheduled matches against the Pakistan Champions.