Former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal expressed his hope that the Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan in Dubai will take place without any issues.
Akmal stated that it will get better only if the game goes well despite the political and diplomatic tensions between the two neighboring nations.
Team India started their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a nine-wicket win over the UAE. They restricted the home team to just 57 runs and chased the target in only 27 deliveries. The Suryakumar Yadav-led team will take on Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 14.
It Will Get Better Only If the Game Goes Well – Kamran Akmal
India will take on the Men in Green for the first time after a terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 Indian tourists earlier this year. India launched Operation Sindoor and targeted terrorist camps in the neighbouring country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Following the incident, India suspended all bilateral sporting and trade ties with the neighbours. The Indian government allowed India to face Pakistan in multinational tournaments like the Asia Cup.
Kamran Akmal, who was part of several such contests, including the 2011 World Cup semi-final in Mohali, said that the current atmosphere is tense but added that the match could help ease the situation.
“These are tough times in India-Pakistan relations. It will be tense, and that is why there are fears. But I think it will get better only if the game goes well,” Kamran told Telecom Asia Sport.
Fans Must Make the Match Successful – Kamran Akmal
Kamran Akmal said that the UAE is a neutral ground where fans from both countries have mingled peacefully. He urged supporters to maintain decorum and enjoy the match in good spirits.
“Fans should show a big heart and come together to enjoy the full match. It should be an atmosphere like in the past. I request fans not to cross the line, whether they are from Pakistan or India. They must make the match successful so that Indo-Pak matches continue,” Akmal stated.
The 2 countries have not played a bilateral cricket series since 2012-13, due to political tensions and security concerns. However, the two teams have been playing in multinational tournaments, including ICC and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events.
Aggression Is the Beauty of these India vs Pakistan Matches – Kamran Akmal
Kamran Akmal said that aggression is a natural part of these matches, but added that players must control their emotions on the field.
He stated that cricket is a gentleman’s game. Akmal recalled an ‘A’ team match in Oman where Sufiyan Muqeem and Abhishek Sharma exchanged words.
“Aggression is the beauty of an India-Pakistan match. How to take that aggression is the key. Respect should be there. Players will have to remember that cricket is a gentleman’s game. If they keep that in mind, I am sure Sunday’s match will go untroubled,” Akmal opined.
“There was an ‘A’ team match in Oman last year where Sufiyan Muqeem and Abhishek Sharma had a verbal clash. Aggression will always be there, but it should be controlled.”
Meanwhile, the Men in Green will open its Asia Cup 2025 campaign on Friday, September 12. The Salman Ali Afghan-led team will take on Oman, who are led by Jatinder Singh, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.