Latif wary of Pakistan form ahead of Asia Cup clash against arch-rivals India

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif believes Pakistan will face a formidable task when they take on arch-rivals India in their much-anticipated Asia Cup clash on Sept.14. In a candid chat with IANS, Latif admitted that the Men in Green have been far from their best in recent outings and will need a dramatic turnaround in both execution and temperament.

“It will be very tough for Pakistan to play against a strong Indian side on Sept.14. Asia Cup ho jaye bas,” Latif quipped, hinting that given Pakistan’s current uncertainty in form, he is simply hoping the tournament goes ahead smoothly.

The former wicket-keeper batter highlighted Pakistan’s inconsistent performances in recent months, which have led to mounting scrutiny of the team’s preparations. “Humari cricket hawa may chal rahi hai... We lost to Bangladesh and the West Indies — matches we should never have lost. Our captain might be good, but juggling all three formats is not easy. We have talent, but we are not making the right decisions yet,” he observed.

Pakistan, regarded as a dangerous side when in rhythm, have suffered a string of surprise defeats — including against Bangladesh and a second-string West Indies outfit — raising questions over their readiness for a high-pressure tournament like the Asia Cup. They open their campaign against Oman on September 12, before facing India in a blockbuster group-stage contest in the UAE.

“There is talent, but execution and decision-making are the most essential things, especially against a team like India,” Latif said, adding that Pakistan must learn to handle crunch situations better if they are to challenge the Men in Blue.

With the India-Pakistan rivalry captivating fans across the globe, Latif hopes Pakistan can rediscover momentum in time. However, he cautioned that their current form remains a significant concern as the countdown to the heavyweight clash gathers pace.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been confirmed as official host cities for 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup, set to happen from Sept. 9 to 28. Dubai will host 11 games, including the final, while Abu Dhabi will host eight matches.

India will play their Group A games against UAE and the high-stakes clash against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sept. 10 and 14 respectively, while their clash against Oman is slated to happen at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sept. 19.

“The Asia Cup is more than just a tournament, it’s a celebration of Asian cricket. Hosting it in the UAE allows us to bring the excitement to one of the most vibrant cricketing hubs in the world. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are well equipped to deliver a seamless and world- class experience for players, fans, and broadcasters alike.”

“We are confident that the 2025 edition will not only set new standards for excellence but also deepen the connection between the game and millions of passionate supporters across the continent,” said Mohsin Naqvi, President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in a statement.

India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman are placed in Group A, while Group B comprises Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. It’s also the first time Asia Cup, to be held in the T20I format keeping in mind the preparation of teams for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, will have eight teams.

Top two teams from each group will proceed to the Super Fours stage, with the top two facing each other in the title clash to decide the winner of the 17th edition of the Asia Cup, which kicks off with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong China.

While India are the designated host of the Asia Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will stage the tournament in the UAE due to the mutual agreement between them and Pakistan to play at neutral venues in 2027 owing to the geopolitical and diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

India are the defending champions of the Asia Cup, having beaten Sri Lanka in the 2023 final held in the 50-over format in Colombo. Sri Lanka had won the Asia Cup in the T20I version after beating Pakistan in the final in 2022.

Agencies