Asia Cup 2025: Haris Rauf comes up with an outlandish India vs Pakistan prediction
The hype around a clash that features two of the fiercest rivals in the game is unmatched. Over the years, India and Pakistan have developed a rivalry that could be termed the most heated in cricket. However, as Asia Cup 2025 promises yet another India vs Pakistan clash, the usual emotions around the match could not be termed as excitement. Significant contention surrounds the upcoming match between the neighbours, triggered by the India-Pakistan conflict from earlier this year. However, the Asia Cup clash is likely to go seamlessly, unlike what happened at the WCL previously.
"Dono apne hai," says Haris Rauf ahead of the India vs Pakistan clash at Asia Cup 2025
Days before the Asia Cup 2025 was scheduled to launch into action, the Indian government gave the green signal to the India vs Pakistan game. India and Pakistan have been placed together in Group A with the arch-rivals scheduled to play their group-stage match on September 14. The government's nod effectively means that the India vs Pakistan match would not face any danger of getting called off. The clarity on the fate of the match has now shifted the focus onto the game itself.
While India and Pakistan have never shared a cordial bond, the upcoming Asia Cup clash is bound to carry extensive nerves and rage. The India-Pakistan conflict, triggered by the heinous Pahalgam terror attack, has brought the neighbors at loggerheads more than ever before. However, despite calls for banning their on-field interactions, the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup match is scheduled to go as planned. Placed in the same group, the arch-rivals could face each other as many as three times in the UAE. The first India vs Pakistan game is slated to be played on September 14.
Both teams have finalized their Asia Cup squads and are deep into their preparations. While a majority of the Indian fans are still against the idea of playing Pakistan in any capacity, the only expectation is to beat Pakistan if the match goes through. The clash in Dubai is expected to draw massive attention, though chances remain high that the two arch-rivals could meet again in the Super Four stage, provided no major upsets take place.
Meanwhile, as the Asia Cup 2025 inches closer, a recent interaction has further amped up the tension between the arch-rivals. Pakistan's ace speedster, Haris Rauf, was recently quizzed by a fan about the upcoming clash. Responding to the general query, Rauf, who could be seen practicing in the video, boldly talked about winning 'both' the India vs Pakistan games. Other than India and Pakistan, Group A has UAE and Oman. To meet India again in the tournament, Pakistan, in their current form, also need to beat both UAE and Oman.
"Dono apne hai, inshallah (both are ours, god be willing)," replied Rauf to the fan’s enquiry.
Haris Rauf Said “We will win both the matches against India in this Asia Cup"
— Nenu (@Nenu_yedavani) August 25, 2025
What's your opinion on this?pic.twitter.com/yOrN72fgLW
Pakistan’s optimism for the upcoming matches is rooted in their victory over India in the Super Four stage of the 2022 Asia Cup. However, in the current scenario, India is clearly the better team. In recent clashes, the Men in Blue have had the upper hand, winning their encounters at the T20 World Cup in both 2022 and 2024. This duel, therefore, carries added weight as both teams look to assert dominance.
Despite the backlash against the India vs Pakistan matches, the Asia Cup 2025 will proceed, benefitting from its status as a neutral-venue tournament hosted by the UAE. While bilateral series between the neighbours remain off the table, the ACC tournament is unlikely to face a fate similar to the WCL. India's campaign opener at the World Championship of Legends in England was called off after massive outrage against playing Pakistan. Moreover, when India set up the WCL semi-final against Pakistan, the team opted to pull out of the game instead of playing against the arch-rival.
