Pakistan’s Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi dare India after setting up Asia Cup 2025 final: ‘We can beat anyone’

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi sent a stern warning to Team India after setting up a final against their arch-rivals in the Asia Cup 2025 on Thursday. This will be the first Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan in the 41-year history of the tournament, which began in 1984.

After India defeated Bangladesh by 41 runs on Wednesday to advance to the final, Pakistan thumped the Bangla Tigers by 11 runs on Thursday in Dubai, setting up an iconic final amid the ongoing handshake controversy.

Pak players dare India before Asia Cup final

Pakistan have been unable to beat India so far in the ongoing tournament, losing by seven wickets and six wickets in the two matches, respectively. However, captain Salman put up a brave face as he dared India ahead of the final on the back of a thrilling win in a low-scorer against Bangladesh.

“We are a good enough team to beat anyone. We will come back on Sunday and try and do that,” Salman said in the post-match press conference when asked about the final vs India.

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Player of the Match Afridi, who took three wickets and scored a quick-fire 19, also did not miss out on sending a message to Suryakumar Yadav and Co. “We are ready,” Afridi declared while collecting his award.

It’s not going to be easy by any imagination for Pakistan, who have lost all seven international matches to India since 2022. After beating them in the Super 4 contest, Indian captain Suryakumar also urged the media personnel to stop referring to the matches against Pakistan as a “rivalry.”

“You guys should stop asking questions about the rivalry between India and Pakistan. According to me, if the two teams are playing 15-20 games, and the scoreline is 7-7 or 8-7, then it is called a rivalry. 10-0, 10-1, I don’t know what the stat is, but this is not a rivalry anymore," SKY said.

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The India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025 final will be played at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday (28 September). The live streaming will be available on the SonyLIV app and website. The match will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network TV channels.