“Whether we play or don’t play...”- Wasim Akram's bold warning to India ahead of the Pakistan clash in Asia Cup 2025

Wasim Akram said he wants to see test series between India and Pakistan.

Legendary Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram has stated that “the game must go on” regardless of whether India play Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 or not.

From September 9 to 28, Dubai and Abu Dhabi will host Asia Cup 2025, which will feature eight teams split into two groups. India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman make up Group A, while Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka make up Group B.

According to an agreement between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), matches will be played at neutral locations for three years, whether competitions are hosted in India or Pakistan, even though India is the official tournament host. Abu Dhabi will host eight games, while Dubai will host eleven.

Afghanistan will play Hong Kong in the tournament’s opening match on September 9 in Abu Dhabi. India’s campaign kicks off on September 10 in Dubai against the UAE.

On September 14, India will play the much-awaited encounter against Pakistan in Dubai. On September 19, they will play Oman in their last group-stage encounter in Abu Dhabi.

“We are calm in Pakistan”—Wasim Akram on the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup tie

India and Pakistan are slated to face off twice more if they qualify for the Super 4 stage and the final of Asia Cup 2025. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 4 stage. All of India’s Super 4 games will take place in Dubai if they win Group A.

But if they come in second, they’ll play two games in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi. The final is set for September 28 in Dubai, and the Super 4 stage will take place from September 20 to 26.

Wasim Akram was asked about the possibility of the India vs Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2025 getting cancelled; he stated that, whether the game happens or not, Pakistan is least concerned with the drama.

“The Asia Cup schedule is out; there is backlash. But we in Pakistan are calm. We will be fine whether we play or don’t play. The game must go on,” Akram said on the Stick With Cricket Podcast.

Wasim Akram also hoped for the India vs Pakistan test ties to be renewed and the two teams to face off against one another in the longest format soon.

“I hope to see a Test series between India and Pakistan in my lifetime. Politics apart, I am not a politician. They are patriotic about their country; we are patriotic about ours. Let’s not go below the belt. Talk about the triumphs of your country; the same goes for Pakistan, and the same goes for India. It is easier said than done,” Akram stated.

India and Pakistan have not played a test since 2007, and no bilateral series has happened since 2012-13. The two sides only clash in ICC and ACC tournaments, but after the Pahalgam terrorist attacks, which resulted in more than 20 people losing their lives, the calls for the Indian team to stop playing Pakistan completely have gained steam.

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