Asia Cup 2025: ‘If Indians are patriotic and want their team to win, the same goes for Pakistani fans’ – Wasim Akram

India and Pakistan are set to carry their rivalry forward on September 14 in Dubai during the marquee clash of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. This will be the second time the two nations face each other in an international fixture this year. Their last meeting came earlier in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the same venue, where India registered a thumping six-wicket victory in a group-stage encounter.

In the months since, tensions have risen between the two countries following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor carried out by India. Against this backdrop, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has called on both teams and their fans to remain disciplined and ensure the contest does not cross the line, urging that the focus remain on cricket.

“I am sure these matches will be entertaining, just like all other Ind-Pak matches. But I hope both the players and the fans will remain disciplined and not cross the line. If Indians are patriotic and want their team to win, the same goes for Pakistani fans. India have been in better form recently and will start as favourites, but the team that handles pressure best on the day will win,” Akram told Telecom Asia Sport as quoted by India Today.

Last week, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India issued fresh guidelines outlining the country’s position on sporting relations with Pakistan. As per the directive, Indian teams will neither visit nor host Pakistan for bilateral series, but they will continue to compete against them in multi-nation tournaments where Pakistan is a participant. This decision has been taken to avoid a possible ban for India or risk of hosting rights loss for such global series.

In cricket, the two countries have not contested a bilateral series since 2012, when Pakistan toured India for a two-match T20I and a three-match ODI series. The visitors drew the T20I series 1-1 and clinched the ODI series 2-1. Since then, India and Pakistan have only met in ICC tournaments such as the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, as well as the Asia Cup.

“This Asia Cup will be a feast for fans worldwide. It’s my wish that India and Pakistan also resume playing a Test series. It’s been too long, and it would be a historic spectacle for fans on both sides,” said Akram.