The excitement for the India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 is already reaching fever pitch. The arch-rivals will lock horns on 14 September in Dubai, and ahead of the high-voltage game, Pakistan’s fiery pacer Haris Rauf has thrown down a direct challenge to Team India.

Haris Rauf’s statement goes viral

In a video circulating on social media, Haris Rauf is seen confidently saying that Pakistan will defeat India in both matches of the Asia Cup. When asked about the possibility of facing India twice, he replied with a smirk:
“Both are our own, InshaAllah.”

Currently, the Pakistan squad is in Dubai for a Tri-Nation Series with Afghanistan and UAE, which is being treated as a preparation platform for the Asia Cup.

Possibility of three India-Pakistan encounters

Cricket fans are in for a treat — India and Pakistan could potentially meet three times in the tournament:

• League stage (14 September)

• Super Four stage (if both teams qualify)

• Final (if both reach the summit clash)

Head-to-head in Asia Cup

• T20 format: India leads 2–1 in three encounters.

• ODI format: Pakistan holds a slight edge with 8 wins, while India has 7.

However, in current form, the Indian squad looks stronger with big names like Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah. Pakistan, on the other hand, is missing experienced campaigners like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, making their batting lineup less intimidating.

Squads for Asia Cup 2025

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (C), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Haris (WK), Salman Mirza, Sufian Muqim, Sahibzada Farhan, Abrar Ahmed.

India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Jitesh Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakraborty, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.

The big question

Haris Rauf’s words have added extra spice to the biggest rivalry in world cricket. But with India’s batting firepower and Pakistan’s pace attack, who will dominate on September 14 remains to be seen.