Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram has expressed his desire to see a Test series between India and Pakistan. He emphasized that “the game must go on,” regardless of whether India faces Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025.
Asia Cup 2025 will take place from September 9 to 28, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi hosting the tournament. Eight teams are divided into two groups: Group A consists of India, Pakistan, the UAE, and Oman, while Group B features Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka.
As per an agreement between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), matches will be held at neutral venues for the next three years, even when India officially hosts the tournament. Abu Dhabi will stage eight matches, and Dubai will host eleven.
The tournament opens on September 9 in Abu Dhabi with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong. India will begin their campaign the following day, September 10, against the UAE in Dubai.
The highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash is scheduled for September 14 in Dubai, followed by India’s final group-stage match against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
“We Are Calm in Pakistan” — Wasim Akram on the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Clash
India and Pakistan could face each other twice more in Asia Cup 2025 if both qualify for the Super 4 stage and the final. The top two teams from each group advance to the Super 4. India’s Super 4 matches will all be in Dubai if they top Group A; if they finish second, two games will be in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi. The final is scheduled for September 28 in Dubai, with the Super 4 stage running from September 20 to 26.
Asked about the possibility of the India-Pakistan match being cancelled, Wasim Akram said Pakistan remains unfazed.
“The Asia Cup schedule is out; there’s backlash. But in Pakistan, we are calm. We’ll be fine whether we play or not. The game must go on,” Akram told the Stick With Cricket Podcast.
Wasim Akram also expressed hope for India and Pakistan to resume Test cricket.
“I hope to see a Test series between India and Pakistan in my lifetime. Politics aside, I’m not a politician. They are patriotic about their country; we are patriotic about ours. Let’s focus on celebrating our triumphs rather than going below the belt. It’s easier said than done, but it’s important,” he said.
India and Pakistan have not played a Test since 2007, and no bilateral series has taken place since 2012-13. Wasim Akram Currently, the teams meet only in ICC and ACC events. Calls to stop matches entirely intensified after the Pahalgam terrorist attacks, which claimed over 20 lives.