Shaheen says they can beat India if both nations reach final

By our correspondent
LAHORE: Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has injected fresh drama into the tournament by declaring that his side is more than ready to take on India if both teams make it to the final.
With India already having beaten Pakistan twice in this edition, Afridi’s comment adds another layer to what could be a fiery summit clash.
The Asia Cup 2025, hosted across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has already witnessed some high voltage encounters. India and Pakistan have squared off twice both times favoring the Men in Blue.
Despite India’s dominance, Afridi is refusing to buy into defeatist narratives. In pre match comments ahead of Pakistan’s Super Four clash with Bangladesh he addressed remarks from India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav who had brushed aside the idea of India–Pakistan as a rivalry. Afridi replied coolly:
“Let him say what he wants; neither he nor we have reached the final yet. If we get there, we’ll see”.
He went on to state:
“We are here to win the Cup. Whichever team comes into the final, we are ready to beat them.”
Afridi’s aim is clear: portray confidence, keep his team focused, and put pressure back on India to prove themselves in a final, not just in earlier rounds.
Should both India and Pakistan overcome their remaining hurdles and reach the final, Afridi’s challenge will take on full meaning and the pressure will shift to India to confirm that dominance when it truly matters. Until then, the statements from Afridi serve as both a psychological edge and a rallying cry for Pakistan’s campaign in the UAE.